When Content Becomes Conflict: The Influence of TikTok on Couple Interaction from a Family Psychology Perspective

Abstract

The development of digital technology has brought significant changes in the dynamics of family life, including in the interaction of married couples. TikTok, as one of the most popular social media platforms, is not only a means of entertainment and self-expression, but also has a complex impact on interpersonal relationships in the household. This study aims to analyze the influence of TikTok use on the quality of couple interactions from the perspective of family psychology. A qualitative approach with a case study method was used to explore the experiences of several couples who actively use TikTok, both as viewers and content creators. The results showed that the use of TikTok can be a trigger for conflict in the household, especially if there is an imbalance of attention, negative perceptions of the content consumed by the partner, to the emergence of jealousy and distrust. However, on the other hand, TikTok can also strengthen relationships if used wisely and collaboratively. These findings emphasize the importance of digital awareness and open communication in maintaining couple harmony in the social media era.