The Effect of TikTok on Translation Performance Among Undergraduate Translation Students

This study explores the impact of TikTok use on translation performance among undergraduate translation students at Qassim University. By employing a combination of survey responses and translation assessments from 46 participants, the results demonstrate that extensive TikTok engagement is significantly associated with an increase in grammatical and spelling errors during translation tasks. Conversely, students who consciously restricted their TikTok usage exhibited substantially fewer errors and reported higher academic productivity, suggesting improved sustained attention and cognitive control. Interpreted through the lens of cognitive load theory, these outcomes indicate that habitual consumption of short-form video content may impair cognitive abilities essential for effective translation. Consequently, the study underscores the importance of implementing educational interventions focused on digital literacy and strategic management of screen time.