Social and psychological experts’ perspectives on children’s TikTok content creation: attachment, family support, and perceived developmental outcomes

This study examines how social and psychological experts understand children’s TikTok content creation and its developmental effects. We used a developmental psychosocial framework that combines attachment processes and emotional compensation. We also examined children’s production and communication skills, as well as family support and regulation. Using a cross-sectional online survey, we collected data from 109 experts. The findings show that experts identified both developmental benefits and psychosocial risks associated with children’s TikTok content creation. Stronger production and communication skills were linked to more positive developmental outcomes. In contrast, attachment insecurity and using TikTok to meet unmet emotional needs were more closely associated with problematic digital behavior and negative developmental outcomes. Experts also linked family support for healthy attachment to more positive evaluations of children’s digital participation. However, they viewed family regulation mainly as a response to perceived online risks rather than as a direct protective factor. Overall, experts believed that the effects of children’s TikTok use depend less on the platform itself and more on the emotional, relational, and family context around it. The study highlights the need for family-centered support that helps children engage with short-form video platforms in healthier ways.