It seems like people can’t get enough of TikTok. But if you’re worried about what exactly your kids are getting, you’re not alone.
From inappropriate content to user data security, here’s what you need to know, plus safety measures to take ASAP.
We always say the best way to know what your children are in for on a new (well, certainly new to you) platform is to try it out yourself. You’ll quickly see that some of the videos can be slightly inappropriate but if used under supervision, TikTok can be a great creative outlet for children.
What is TikTok?
TikTok is a free social media app that allows users to watch, create and share videos. It specialises in user-created content and is targeted to schoolchildren and students. It’s become serious competition for YouTube and Instagram. The app is 2 years old and had over 600 million downloads in 2019 alone.
Children, especially those under 16, are flocking to the app to share and create short lip-sync videos or to show off their comedic skills and other talents on the platform. You can also browse and interact with other users’ content, which covers a wide range of topics, songs, and styles. These videos can be grouped by hashtags, which often correspond to challenges or memes.
How does TikTok work?
Users can sign up with a phone number, an email address, Facebook or Instagram. Once you’ve logged in, you can search popular creators, categories and hashtags to find videos. You can use your phone contacts or social media followers to find friends that are already using the app. Many kids on Tik Tok like to create videos, but there are also a lot of people who don’t post themselves. They just use the app to find and follow content creators.
What age is TikTok recommended for?
TikTok requires that users be at least 13 years old to use the app but this is something you should decide as a parent. There is a separate section of the app for kids under 13 that restricts access to mature content and comments, but since entering a false birthdate is easy, it’s still best for older teens. You might want to wait until they are age 15+ mainly due to the privacy issues and mature content. Anyone under the age of 18 must have approval of a parent or guardian – but there are plenty of young tween users. If your younger kid or tween wants to use the app, the account should belong to an adult who can monitor what younger users are browsing and sharing.
Is it ‘family-friendly’?
As TikTok places a lot of emphasis on popular music, a lot of the videos including sexual lyrics and swearing. So no, not all the content is appropriate for children. You’ll also find people wearing revealing clothing and dancing suggestively.
If you supervise your kids and stick to songs you already know from the radio, TikTok can be a kid-friendly experience.
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How do I supervise my kids TikTok use?
Until now there wasn’t really anything that parents could do to monitor their kids but they have recently launched a ‘family pairing’ which allows parents direct access to their children’s account from their own devices. You can also disable direct messages, set screen time limits and activate ‘restricted content’ mode. Parents must first pair their own app with their child’s to access the controls.
If you have a child that has TikTok, you definitely want to consider getting this feature to make sure they’re being safe.
When you sign up for TikTok, your account is public by default, meaning anyone can see your videos, send you direct messages, and use your location information. Parents should make sure to turn on all privacy settings for accounts kids are using, so only people you know can interact with your videos or message you on the app. That means either opting for a private account or changing the settings for comments, duets, reactions, and messages to “Friends” instead of “Everyone.” You can also turn those features off completely.
- Can I make a TikTok account private? Yes. You can also select who can send you comments and direct messages, and who can do a duet with you. Using the “Friends” setting or turning those features off completely limits contact with strangers.
- Can I delete a TikTok video? Yes and then it will be removed from your profile.
- Can I delete a TikTok account? Yes. You will be asked to add a phone number if you haven’t already. This must be a working number, as they will text you a code to verify the number and later to verify deleting the account.
Can I use TikTok with my kids?
A good way to introduce your kids to the platform is to watch and make videos together. Remember, you can post it or save it as “private” so only you can see. The app also lets you share videos by email, text, or other social media where you can better control who sees it, so kids can perform for friends and relatives instead of everyone.
Can I restrict my kid’s activity on TikTok?
Screen time is always a hot topic when it comes to kids. You can limit time spent on the app and limit the appearance of inappropriate videos under the “Digital Wellbeing” section. The features are automatically protected by a four-digit password so kids can’t turn them off on their own. From there, parents can opt to turn on Screen Time Management, which limits users to two hours on the app per day, and Restricted Mode, which blocks some content. Keep in mind, Restricted Mode isn’t foolproof, and even with the filter on, kids using the app on their own might come across age-inappropriate videos. As of 2020, there’s a Family Safety Mode feature that lets parents link their own accounts to their kids to control time limits and Restricted Mode, and it adds direct messages as well.
Can I monitor my kid’s activity on TikTok?
Yes. Other than Restricted Mode, there’s no way to filter out content on TikTok, so parents are encouraged to share an account with kids under the age of 13. This will let you keep an eye on what your kid is viewing and posting. Parents of older kids who are more resistant to monitoring can ask about their favourite video creators and get to know their videos (with or without your kid). Also, take the time to regularly look at the most popular songs, videos, memes, and challenges.
Always keep an open channel of communication with your children about what they’re experiencing online and make sure they know that they can come to you at any point if something (or someone) is making them feel uncomfortable.
Source: Parenting - yourfamily.co.za
