If you’ve ever watched your teen scroll through TikTok, you know the look. It’s a glazed-over, semi-trance state where their thumb moves independently of their brain. In the industry, we call this the "Infinite Scroll," but for parents, it feels more like a digital black hole.

By 2025, the algorithm has evolved beyond simple "likes." It now measures things your teen isn't even aware of: how long they paused on a frame, whether they checked the comments to see the "tea," and if they re-watched a three-second clip of someone saying something "Ohio" (which, for the uninitiated, just means weird or cringey).

The goal of the algorithm is simple: Retention. It wants to keep them on the app because more time equals more data, which equals more targeted ads. It’s not a conspiracy; it’s just the business model. But when that business model meets a developing adolescent brain, we need to step in with some intentionality.

The FYP is the ultimate "vibe check." Unlike old-school social media where you followed friends, TikTok serves up content based on interest. For a middle schooler trying to find their identity, this feels like magic.

If they’re into Minecraft parkour, the app finds the best creators. If they’re obsessed with Stanley cups, it shows them "restock" videos. It provides a sense of community and discovery that is genuinely addictive. The problem isn't the content itself—it's the delivery system that never says "enough."

The "Infinite Scroll" works on a psychological principle called variable ratio reinforcement. It’s the same logic that keeps people sitting at slot machines in Vegas. You scroll through three "meh" videos, and then—BAM—a video that makes you wheeze-laugh. That hit of dopamine tells the brain, "The next one might be even better."

This creates a "flow state" that makes it nearly impossible for a teen to self-regulate. Their prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain responsible for impulse control) is still under construction. Expecting them to just "put the phone down" after 20 minutes is like asking a toddler to eat just one M&M from an open bowl.

Learn more about the dopamine loop in social media

The good news is that TikTok has finally introduced some tools that actually help, provided you know how to find them.

In 2026, TikTok rolled out enhanced "Time Away" prompts. Unlike the old "Take a Break" videos that kids just swiped past, the new version allows parents to set "Hard Stops" via Family Pairing. When the limit is hit, the app requires a passcode to keep going.

If your teen’s feed has become a swamp of "brain rot" or "sad-fishing" (content that glorifies being upset for views), you can now completely reset the algorithm.

TikTok now offers a dedicated STEM feed (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). It’s actually surprisingly good. You can encourage your teen to toggle this on so their scroll includes a bit of Mark Rober or National Geographic content alongside the dance trends.

Not all screen time is created equal. If your teen loves the short-form video format, there are ways to pivot that energy into something that actually builds skills or knowledge.

If they have a 15-minute "scroll itch," suggest a Duolingo streak first. It uses the same gamification and notification "pestering" as social media but results in them actually learning Spanish or French.

For older teens, MasterClass offers incredibly high-production videos that feel as polished as TikTok but feature experts like Gordon Ramsay or Alicia Keys. It’s the "premium" version of learning a craft.

If your teen is a creator (editing videos, drawing, or making music), Skillshare is the natural next step. It turns them from a passive consumer of the algorithm into an active creator who understands how the "sauce" is made.

Check out our guide on the best educational alternatives to TikTok

The algorithm is very good at finding "niches." This can be great (e.g., "BookTok" for kids who love Percy Jackson) or it can be dangerous. If a teen starts engaging with content about extreme dieting or "alpha male" influencers, the algorithm will flood them with more of the same, creating a distorted reality.

The Conversation Starter: Don't ask "What are you watching?" (The answer will be "nothing" or "videos"). Ask: "What is your FYP trying to sell you right now?" This shifts the focus from their behavior to the app’s behavior and makes them feel like a savvy critic rather than a lectured kid.

If you walk in and say, "Stop scrolling, it's rotting your brain," they will tune you out immediately. Instead, try the "Vibe Check" approach:

Ask our chatbot for more scripts on talking to teens about social media

TikTok isn't going anywhere, and the algorithm is only getting smarter. Our job as intentional parents isn't to play Whac-A-Mole with every new trend, but to teach our kids how the machine works.

When they understand that the "Infinite Scroll" is a tool designed to harvest their time, they gain the power to put it down. Use the 2025 "Refresh" and "Time Away" features as training wheels, but the ultimate goal is for them to develop their own internal "stop" button.

Learn more about how Screenwise helps you navigate TikTok and more