The impact of social media on the values of contemporary Chinese adolescents: a case study of the role of platform Douyin in a shaping cultural identity

Authors

  • Wang Li Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Tatiana V. Saladounikava Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

Keywords:

social media, Douyin, cultural identity, values, adolescents

Abstract

This article analyses the impact of the short video platform Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) on the formation of young people’s cultural identity and values. It examines the influence of Douyin’s recommendation algorithms and user-generated content on adolescents’ values through various forms of communication. It concludes that Douyin facilitates the formation of local cultural identity but also carries potential risks (such as an information cocoon effect and the development of a monotheistic personality structure). It is noted that these problems may limit adolescents’ access to cultural diversity, which, in turn, can lead to a narrowing of their worldview.

Author Biographies

  • Wang Li, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    master’s degree student at the department of international journalism, faculty of journalism

  • Tatiana V. Saladounikava, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    PhD (philology), docent; head of the department of international journalism, faculty of journalism

References

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Published

2026-06-17

Issue

Section

Theory and Practice of Foreign Mass Media

How to Cite

[1]
Li, W. and Saladounikava, T.V. 2026. The impact of social media on the values of contemporary Chinese adolescents: a case study of the role of platform Douyin in a shaping cultural identity. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Journalism. 1 (Jun. 2026), 66–69.