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Shaping minds: how the TikTok generation is revolutionising mental health dialogue

TikTok's Digital Well-being Summit, held on June 26 in Johannesburg, where health professionals, creators, and policymakers came together to discuss how short-form content can be used not just to entertain but to empower. Image: Vuyile Madwantsi We live online. From waking up and checking our phones to falling asleep to blue-lit screens, we're tethered to the digital world in ways that previous generations could never have imagined. But what if our hyperconnectivity came with a shift in how we talk to each other, especially about our mental health? What if asking 'How are you really feeling?' became as normal as 'How was your day?' This was the heart of the conversation at TikTok's Digital Well-being Summit, held on June 26 in Johannesburg, where health professionals, creators, and policymakers came together to discuss how short-form content can be used not just to entertain but to empower. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Beyond hashtags, making mental health mainstream The idea is simple but powerful: promote kindness, imagine if talking about anxiety, burnout, or depression became dinner table conversations or classroom discussions, the same way we chat about traffic, soccer scores or school tests. According to health economists, untreated mental health conditions cost South Africa an estimated R161 billion per year in lost productivity. The ripple effects are undeniable, not only for individuals but for families, workplaces, and the broader economy. So, shifting how we communicate, making kindness and emotional check-ins as routine as daily greetings, could be more than just feel-good advice. It's a public health strategy. And TikTok wants to be part of that solution. The idea is simple but powerful: promote kindness. Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, TikTok's Director of Public Policy & Government Relations for Sub-Saharan Africa Image: supplied TikTok's mental health mission: more than dance challenges 'You can't bring joy to people if they don't feel safe,' said Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, TikTok's director of public policy & government relations for Sub-Saharan Africa. That's why they are working with credible partners, like the World Health Organisation, to connect users with verified, evidence-based mental health resources. When you search for terms like anxiety, PTSD or depression, the platform now directs you to mental health support hubs or videos by qualified doctors who are also creators. One recent initiative, a partnership with WHO and content creators, saw the top 20 videos reach over 750 million viewers globally. That's the power of a short, emotionally resonant 60-second video. Why it works: When creators speak, people listen. Creators like Dr Siya, a TikTok-famous medical educator, are using the platform to break down complex health concepts into digestible, relatable, and often funny content. 'People don't come to TikTok for lectures. "They come to be entertained. So if I can educate while I entertain, they're more likely to retain the information.' It's proof that entertainment and education can co-exist and even thrive in the same feed. Filtering filth But what about when the fun stops and trolling starts? Content creators are often on the frontlines of internet abuse. The platform offers tools for maintaining a safe space, such as filtering harmful comments, blocking trolls, and disabling comments altogether. Screentime management And for parents worried about screen time? TikTok now automatically sets a 40-minute limit for teen accounts. Parental safety features Family Pairing features that let guardians monitor content and set controls. Mgwili-Sibanda shared a relatable parenting tip: 'During school terms, my kids don't get their phones during the week. It's not punishment. It's balance. And they know that once screen time is over, it's over.' If anything became clear at the summit, it's this: mental well-being is a shared responsibility. From parents to teachers, platforms to policymakers, everyone has a role to play in creating safer, more supportive environments, both online and offline. And it starts with something small: choosing and promoting kindness in our digital spaces. In a hyperconnected world where words can go viral in seconds, the power of a kind comment, or the damage of a cruel one can be enormous. Creators at the summit spoke openly about the emotional toll of making content while facing toxic feedback. 'When you start getting hate, it means you're reaching beyond friends and family,' one TikTok creator shared. 'But it still hurts.' TikTok offers filtering tools, comment controls, and community guidelines to help manage this, but what's equally important is a culture shift. Kindness should be the default, not the exception. Instead of defaulting to 'How was your day?', try 'What made you smile today?' or Is there anything on your mind you want to talk about?' "It's not about demonising screens, it's about setting boundaries." But it doesn't stop there. Schools, caregivers, civil society, and the media all have a role to play. Because platforms alone can't fix mental health. People can. The digital world isn't going anywhere. But we can shape it to be kinder, more thoughtful, and emotionally intelligent, one video, one comment, one check-in at a time. As TikTok continues its commitment to advancing mental health support, it announced that three Sub-Saharan African organisations have been awarded support from its expanded Mental Health Education Fund. As TikTok continues its commitment to advancing mental health support, it announced that three Sub-Saharan African organisations have been awarded support from its expanded Mental Health Education Fund. Image: supplied Groups like the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative and Mental360 in Kenya aim to provide regionally relevant, evidence-based mental health content, further emphasising the urgency of tackling mental health issues in a significant way. Moreover, TikTok introduced a cohort of verified Mental Health Ambassadors, strategically selected to amplify mental health education and destigmatise conversations in the digital realm. This inaugural group includes notable figures, such as Dr Siya and Dr Claire Kinuthia, who are ready to lend their voices to an important cause. In a digital world that shows no signs of waning, the way we shape our interactions can dictate the essence of our shared spaces. As Mgwili-Sibanda reminds us, 'safety is a shared responsibility,' and with it, mental well-being becomes a collaborative effort, one that can cultivate solace and understanding in our everyday lives.