Changes over time in TikTok behaviors and motivations and perceived consequences for public discourse and political polarization

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Rates of TikTok use have increased from 2% in 2019 to 67% in 2022. Despite its popularity, little is known about how users’ behaviors and motivations change over time, or how TikTok contributes to activism, polarization, and social movements. This study address three research questions: (1) In what ways do emerging adults perceive their patterns of TikTok use to have changed since they first downloaded TikTok?; (2) How do emerging adults perceive their motivations for using TikTok to have shifted since they first downloaded TikTok?; and (3) How do perceived changes in use and motivations shape emerging adults’ participation in social movements and engagement in public discourse?. Data were collected via 15 semi-structured interviews and two focus groups (N = 8) with emerging adults recruited through convenience and snowball sampling. Using Braun and Clarke’s (2022) reflexive thematic analysis, findings revealed that users shifted from primarily consuming to creating content, while motivations for social connection remained stable. Participants also expressed concern about misinformation and perceived that the algorithm reinforces polarization around political issues, influencing engagement with activism and social discourse. These findings clarify how TikTok use evolves over time and highlight its potential impact on civic engagement and ideological exposure.