To make your account private: If your TikTok account is private, only those you accept as friends will be able to see your videos. Many kids on TikTok like to create videos, but plenty of people don't post themselvesthey just use the app to find and follow content creators. The app also lets you share videos by email, text, or other social media apps, where you can better control who sees it. Kids use TikTok as a way to connect with their friends and have some creative self-expression. What if my kid wants to get famous on TikTok? Is Overwatch Safe for Kids? Our children are living in a digital world. The last section on this page is Safety. A large part of keeping your kids safe on TikTok is about reducing contact with strangers or harmful content. While this doesnt eliminate security risks or mental health safety, its a great place to start. While the safest way to use TikTok is with a private account, the social nature of the app and the rapid success of some of its stars -- including Charli D'Amelio, a dancer whose TikTok fame led to a TV deal -- might have your kids begging to go public. The app is popular for viral dances and celebrity cameos and is a creative and fun platform for teens to enjoy. How Do I Protect My Young Child from Cyberbullying? TikTok is a video-sharing platform where you can watch and create videos, and livestream. For its younger users, TikTok collects less data (though it still captures registration details including name, birth date, username, and password). If you swipe left, you'll see a more personally curated feed called "Following," featuring uploads from the people you choose to follow. The more likes, followers, or comments a video gets, the more validation your teen feels they are receiving. The nature of social media is risky because anyone could have access to your child or their information through some means. To set up your account, open up the site on your browser or download the app on your device and then sign up for an account. The Federal Trade Commission fined TikTok $5.7 million for violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Privacy / It offers kids an endless stream of entertaining video, whether it involves dancing, cooking or pranks. You can also learn more about the safety of other popular social media apps: Do you have more questions about TikTok? We respect your privacy. TikTok has a poor history of data security. 2. Children are more protected through TikToks Under 13 version and parental account features. Because TikTok uses algorithms to show users new content, its easy for young people to come across inappropriate or upsetting videos. What to do if you're worried about something a child has experienced online. Unfortunately, there are other ways that people can download your videos, such as screen recording, third-party apps and shortcuts, but this setting will prevent one of the most popular (and easiest) ways of downloading videos from TikTok. Childrens Health is proud to become the first pediatric health system in the country to offer Amazon Lockers, self-service kiosks that allow you to pick up your Amazon packages when and where you need them most 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Users under age 16 who are trying to publish their first video will get a pop-up message to help them better understand their privacy options. Discord requires that users be at least 13 years old, although they do not verify users' age upon signup. The following is what TikTok collects about its users on both the regular app and the Younger Users version, according to the companys privacy policy. One user creates and posts a video, and then a mutual follower can tap the three-dot icon at the bottom right of the video and select "start duet now!" They also talked about how screenshots and screen recording tech can mean something seemingly impermanent might become a meme that haunts you. You are now subscribed to the Children's Health Family Newsletter. Parents and caregivers can also use Restricted Mode to reduce mature content, or Family Safety Mode to pair their account with their kid's account to control settings completely. However, TikTok knows that younger kids will find ways to sign up anyway, such as by using false birthdates. However, exposure to age-inappropriate material can still occur, and parental supervision is recommended. This feature requires access to your childs account through their personal device to set up. Yes, tiktok is easy to use for year olds. Users can create and upload their own videos, many of which feature people lip-synching to popular songs. New safety features were introduced as of August 2021. TikToks Younger Users version is really just an absence of features, not a redesign of the app made for kids. "This is the largest civil penalty in a children's privacy case in history," Jordan says. Mental incapability in comprehending negative comments and cyber-stalking are horrific things that could affect your child's state of mind. 2K Likes, TikTok video from SharkTank (@sharktank_tiktok): "A 10-year-old girl introduces a safe and fun spoon design for kids - Part 2 #sharktank #foryou #fyp #projectpollo #deal #money #show #foryoupage #fyp". Talk to your kids about TikTok and your concerns like the dangers of having a public profile or talking to strangers. In short, people love TikTok because its easy to use while still being personalized to their tastes. "The law requires companies to obtain parental consent to collect the data of kids under 13, and TikTok did not do so. All rights reserved. Odds are theyll already know about some of the problems with social media and will be fine to make sure privacy settings are set correctly. TikTokis thesecond-most popular social media site among American teenagers-- and for obvious reasons. TikTok users sign up with a phone number, an email address, or a third-party account such as Facebook and Instagram. Technically, kids under 13 cant sign up for a regular TikTok account because it violates COPPA. They also illegally stored minors' data. Challenges are any idea that goes viral. Childline offers free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry, whenever you need help. Is TikTok safe for 11 year olds? Social Media. Whether you just check in on their account from time to time, pair your profiles for constant supervision, or require them to use the alternate version of the application depends on your concerns and house rules. After changing to a private account, only users that you approve can follow your account and watch your videos, but existing followers are allowed to continue following you. For starters, TikTok presents an endless stream of video content, and the apps algorithm means youre always one scroll away from a video that will capture your attention. Trolling is popular on TikTok, tooespecially through the 'Reactions' feature.". Many people and organizationsincluding the U.S. government and companies like Wells Fargoare worried that TikTok's parent company ByteDance (based in China) is using the app to spy on users in other countries. second-most popular social media site among American teenagers, protecting young users from inappropriate videos, TikTok sharing private user data with China, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. So, what is it exactly that kids and teens love about TikTok? Sometimes platforms also test out different types of content with similar themes to see how we interact, so it knows what to show us in the future. In time, your kids will begin exercising initiative and start protecting themselves online on their own. (Accounts for people under 16 are automatically set to private. TikTok is no exception. To set up Family Pairing so you can manage the above settings, plus safety and privacy, first download TikTok onto your phone and create an account. If you are an Android or Amazon device family, you can also use Bark to monitor TikTok text chats. However, a limited version of the app is available to those who dont meet the age requirement. "I'm so hurt. You can (and should!) With her children in tow, she studies Obstetric Sonography and has made a career creating content about motherhood. Ask them to show you their favorite videos. The user interface is simple and organized, making it easy for kids to find the videos they want to watch. For any age child, talk to them about setting their privacy controls as strongly as possible. Turning on this algorithm-based feature changes the appearance of mature or otherwise inappropriate content for younger TikTok users. Common Sense recommends the app for age 15+ mainly due to the privacy issues and mature content. The caveat is that the kid-friendly version isnt commonly utilized. Chances are they wont. Terms of use / This is my place to share my journey. Is TikTok Safe for Kids? Kidzworld: This is a moderated, child-friendly application that allows children to participate in forums and chat with others their age. Fortunately there are several features buried in your TikTok settings to help you moderate your comments and eliminate spam and hateful comments. }); If it sounds like TikTok is fertile ground for a lot of fun and a good deal of trouble, that's because it is. If you enable the profile views setting on TikTok, other people will be able to see when you check out their profile. Previously, TikTok was criticized for not removing accounts that made sexually explicit comments on the accounts of children, posing a serious safety risk for kids on TikTok. These options range from using a limited version of the app to just keeping an eye on the content their children are consuming. Sign them up for the curated version for tweens under 13. In 2020, the U.S. government opened a national security review of the acquisition of TikTok by a Chinese company, the New York Times reported. Here's why: 1. Learn about the dangers of TikTok and how to keep your child safe by reading our article here. Kids familiar with these examples might be persuaded to do or share things they wouldn't normally do to get a larger audience. It's easy to encounter inappropriate content. However, if your video is in a duet or you're on a livestream with multiple hosts, it's possible that a blocked account may be able to see those videos. To do this, go toProfile>three-dash menu>Settings and privacy>Privacy and then: The Duet and Stitch features are fun, but they can also get out of control. With 3 billion downloads to date, TikTok is currently the hottest social media site for tweens and teens. Common Sense Media. No, the full version of TikTok requires users to be at least 13 years of age. These things might be harder for them to share with you directly because theyre embarrassed or scared. Young users aged 10 to 19made up 25% of TikToks users in 2021, the largest share of all age groups. This "Family Safety Mode" lets parents link to their teenager's TikTok account and control "Digital Wellbeing features," according to an article published by TikTok. You can also search for content using topics or hashtags. Cyberbullies will troll others online and make rude or hateful comments on their videos. Extensively tested by our experts. A Comprehensive Guide for Parents. She has an educational background in journalism and has worked in content marketing across several industries, including finance and cybersecurity. You can post it or save it as "private" so only you can see. What Are Some Basic Social Media Rules for High Schoolers? Additionally, by using apps, it's important to be aware that you are sharing personal information, and that can come with some risks. Read Common Sense Media's full review of TikTok, and learn more about this popular platform. "Even if you set your own account to private, you may still be exposed to sexual or violent content posted to the public feed," she says. Charley is a mother of three with a passion for raising good humans. TikTok is a free social media platform that lets you create, share and watch short clips. No place on the internet is entirely safe for kids, including the TikTok app. The lawsuit that led to their Under 13 version of the app occurred because they illegally stored the data of minors. Investigations of TikTok found that the app's privacy policy and data collection practices aren't actually any worse than other social media apps, and that the concerns about spying are probably overblown. Copyright 2023 NSPCC / All rights reserved. There is nothing to stop predators from grooming kids. Get your own TikTok account and educate yourself. To find your comment settings, go toProfile>three-dash menu>Settings and privacy>Privacy > Comments. I'm thrilled you're here and hope you find everything you're looking for! This engages their critical thinking, which is never a bad thing. TikTok is also a lot more . However, you should still review the settings to ensure they've been set up correctly. "Clicking on those dots will take you to the 'Privacy and settings section of the app," she explains. April 24, 2022 There are currently many social networks that, as a parent, you should keep track of your child engaging in. 7 Safety Concerns for Parents, What Parents Need to Know About the Metaverse, Is Roblox Safe for Kids? Using the Friends setting or turning those features off completely limits contact with strangers. If they do, parents can set up a number of limitations, such as disabling the direct message option and setting daily time limits. The most popular social media apps are always changing, and it can be a challenge for parents to keep up. Parents want to keep their kids safe not only at school, in the playground, and at home but online too. With the Stitch feature, your video and someone else's video are integrated into each other -- you can edit a portion of their video into yours. Plus, as with any social media, we enjoy the attention we get from likes, follows, and video shares. TikTok users under the age of 13 count as Younger Users.. National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Once logged in, you can find videos by searching for popular creators, categories (like comedy, animals, sports), and hashtags. From recipes to song covers, dance challenges, comedy skits, and even pool-cleaning videos whatever your interest is, theres a TikTok video for you. "When videos aren't funny or successful, they're referred to as 'cringey,'" Jordan explains. You could even suggest creating a video together, like filming yourself taking part in a dance challenge. It specializes in video creation and streaming and allows users to record, edit and share short-form videos (either 15 seconds, one minute, or three minutes long). Is Tiktok Safe for 10-Year-Olds? Users might become victims of cyberbullying. Keep in mind that kids can always re-download TikTok and create a new account using a different phone number or email address, so any controls you enable aren't foolproof. They won't be able to publish the video without selecting who will be allowed to see it. 2. While it may seem like TikTok came out of nowhere, the app actually began in 2014 as a lip-synching site called Musical.ly. When setting limits and rules, ensure your child knows there will be no negative consequences if they come to you with safety concerns. Children can easily bypass privacy measures if not supervised by an adult. But some, such as the skull-breaker, are really dangerous. If that's a problem, you'll need to individually block any followers that you don't want seeing your videos. But you may not want everyone, like bullies or even some family members, to be able to view your TikTok account. Heres how to access TikToks privacy settings: Keep reading to learn more about the privacy options you can set, as well as additional features that provide more layers of protection for your teen. Accounts for children between ages 13-15 will not receive push notifications after 9 p.m. For teens between ages 16-17, push notifications will be disabled after 10 p.m. Users between the ages 16 and 17 must actively switch their settings to enable direct messaging. Like many social media outlets, TikTok uses user data for a variety of activities unrelated to the application. If you regularly check their account, you might even notice whentheyre feeling low, for example after a fight with friends or an incident of bullying. There are several social media platforms designed specifically for children. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. I'd be less worried about the content and more the affect it has on their mental health, take it from 19 year old whos pretty socially active. Currently, a video-sharing app called TikTok is one of the most prevalent, especially among teens. Common Sense recommends the app for age 15+, TikTok doesn't necessarily have a perfect record, Help Kids Navigate Viral Social Media Stunts. Talk with them about what they enjoy about the app. Learn why kids participate in viral social media challenges and how you can help them make responsible decisions. He was sent to live with Noah and his son Shem, and he remained with them to . TikTok encourages content creation, as users can use the "Reactions" feature to respond to videos they like with their own take. Online safety activities to do with your child. Using any social network can be risky, but it's possible for kids to safely use the app with adult supervision (and a private account). You can choose from "Everyone," "Friends," and "Off.". They also have restricted access to direct messages and livestreaming. We've also highlighted some fun and educational apps to get them learning online. They can be songs, activities, or dances that start trending and then get copied by users on the platform. The minimum age for TikTok users is 13 years old. Once you send in a Spotlight, it's public and can be viewed by anyone on or off the platform. Is TikTok safe for 9 year olds? ", TikToks in either feed might also feature content that's highly personal or sensitive, Jordan notes. Not to mention, the part of a teens brain that is responsible for rational thinking is not fully developed until their mid-20s. As your child uses the app, you should stay up-to-date on their activity with it by showing a genuine interest in their TikTok videos. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. It's also important to remember that the app is meant for kids who are 13 or older. Social media apps are known for harmful effects on mental health, like increased depression and anxiety, according to researchers. Is TikTok Safe for Kids? TikToks terms and conditions state that all users must be at least 13 years of age to access the full application. You can create an account yourself to learn about what controls exist and how the app works. From there, select the features you want to enable: Screen Time Management. The ways that creators dance or dress may not be appropriate for all kids, either. Parents can manage this by encouraging and modeling safe behavior, and putting limits on the type of information that kids share. Learn more. That's why TikTok has started implementing parental controls on the app (although these controls aren't yet available in the U.S.), RELATED: Life Skills to Teach Your Child by Age 10, TikTok allows users to contact anyone in the world, and this comes with its own host of hazards. Talk to your child about self control, compassion and empathy. Within TikToks security settings, there are three specific parental controls to help parents create a safer experience for their children. and they're extremely easy to circumvent. 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