O algoritmo do TikTok e a atenção multifragmentada de seus usuários: um olhar psicopedagógico

Abstract

This study proposes a brief psychopedagogical analysis of the potential impacts of the TikTok platform's algorithm on users' attention, particularly children and adolescents, linking the issue to the so-called "Attention Economy," which refers to the economic model in which users' attention is treated as a valuable resource, captured and monetized by digital platforms. The research questions whether constant exposure to social media algorithms, such as TikTok's, may generate significant effects on cognitive, emotional, and social development. To achieve this reflection, the analysis addresses the neuropsychological mechanisms of attention, highlighting how exposure to short videos and multiple simultaneous stimuli can fragment sustained attention, which is essential for learning processes. The research also explores the social and emotional impacts of this exposure, such as reduced tolerance for frustration and difficulty engaging in activities that require greater cognitive effort. Additionally, the concept of "colonized attention" is discussed, reflecting the exploitation of attention by algorithms of large foreign corporations, reducing users' autonomy. Finally, the study suggests the need for public policies and (psycho)pedagogical practices that promote more conscious use of technology, balancing the benefits and challenges brought by the digital age. The creation of enriched environments, both physical and digital, and education through art for critical media use are proposed as pathways to mitigate the negative effects of excessive exposure to social media. The final reflection emphasizes the importance of preserving the beauty of human essence—its strength and vulnerability—such as the capacity to feel, question, and decide, in an increasingly robotic world