Abstract / Description
OBJECTIVE: This bibliometric and science mapping study aimed to: (i) map the global research on TikTok and young adults, (ii) identify the main themes related to mental health, cognitive functioning, sleep, and academic or social outcomes, (iii) analyze collaboration and citation networks, and (iv) highlight gaps and future directions in this emerging field. METHODS: A comprehensive search of Scopus and the Web of Science Core Collection identified peer reviewed articles, reviews, and proceedings papers published between 2016 and 2025 that focused on TikTok or Douyin use among young adults aged approximately 18 to 35 years and reported psychological, cognitive, sleep, academic, or social or behavioral outcomes. After deduplication and screening against predefined eligibility criteria, 53 publications were included. Following BIBLIO recommendations for bibliometric reviews, we conducted performance analyses and science mapping using bibliometrix in R and VOSviewer. Analyses covered annual output, leading sources, authors, institutions, and countries, as well as keyword co-occurrence, co authorship, citation and co citation networks, and thematic evolution across two time slices (2016 to 2020 and 2021 to 2025). RESULTS: The initial search yielded 610 records, of which 53 met all inclusion criteria. Publications were scarce before 2019, then increased sharply, with a peak around 2023. Most studies originated from high income countries, particularly the United States, China, and the United Kingdom, while low- and middle-income countries were underrepresented. Keyword co-occurrence and thematic mapping revealed five recurring clusters: (1) mental health and anxiety, (2) sleep disruption and digital addiction, (3) academic engagement and performance, (4) attention and cognition, and (5) body image and self-esteem. Thematic evolution analyses showed a shift from general social media research and exploratory work in 2016 to 2020 toward TikTok specific investigations from 2021 onward that focused on problematic use, sleep disruption, procrastination, and body dissatisfaction, alongside emerging interest in digital wellbeing and body positive content. CONCLUSION: Bibliometric mapping indicates that research on TikTok and young adults has expanded rapidly but remains limited in volume and dominated by cross sectional designs and high-income settings. Mental health and sleep related outcomes occupy a central position, with growing attention to academic performance, attention, and body image. Important gaps include longitudinal evidence, experimental or causal designs, systematic examination of beneficial uses of TikTok, and more contributions from low- and middle-income countries. The present analysis offers a structured overview of the field and a roadmap for future interdisciplinary research, with implications for educators, clinicians, and policymakers concerned with the digital lives of young adults.