The Tiktok Problem – A Study on Cognitive Warfare

NATO defines cognitive warfare as a new unconventional form of hybrid warfare, where the human mind becomes the primary battleground. The goal is to manipulate not only what people think but also how they think and act. If successful, cognitive warfare can shape individual and collective beliefs to align with an aggressor’s strategic objectives. In extreme cases, it can fracture society, eroding the collective will to resist an adversary’s intentions. This form of warfare allows an opponent to subdue a population without direct force or coercion.

In today’s world, where much of our lives unfold online, social networks create an illusion of social interaction while altering fundamental human behaviors. Digital platforms have reshaped entire generations, particularly those who grew up immersed in screens. Research now confirms the long-term effects of social media and mobile applications on human psychological health, brain development, attention span, and behavior. Social media addiction, particularly among children, is rising, exacerbating issues such as cyberbullying, online grooming, disinformation, and political radicalization. These vulnerabilities present an opportunity for adversaries to exploit digital platforms for large-scale psychological operations.

TikTok, a short-video social media platform owned by China-based company ByteDance, has become one of the most popular apps among Generation Z (Gen Z), a generation immersed in digital technology, the internet, and social media from childhood. While widely used for entertainment and marketing, TikTok presents unique security and cognitive risks due to its ownership, data collection practices, and algorithmic influence.