It seems like everyone is jumping on to the popular social media platform TikTok, with nearly 2.6 billion downloads to date. It\u2019s quickly become one of the hottest social media platforms for tweens and teens, but it\u2019s left a few parents scratching their heads. Although this app seemed to come out of nowhere, it was initially known as Musical.ly. The app was acquired in 2018, bringing a surge of popularity with it.<\/p>\n
TikTok is a stomping ground for virtually every niche and industry, from trending dances to explicit content. Videos are capped at three minutes long, with users able to add text, music, effects, and filters to the content. Posting, watching, subscribing, and the following happens from your phone, with the ability to \u2018love\u2019 react and comment on each post.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s designed for users 13 and older, although some content well exceeds this age bracket. The \u201cFor you page\u201d is generated by an algorithm based on past likes and comments but occasionally throws in a video that doesn\u2019t match previous choices. If all of this seems questionable, that\u2019s because it is.<\/p>\n
Want to learn more about TikTok? Here are five things you need to know about the social media site.<\/strong><\/p>\n The U.S government opened a security review of the acquisition, with the Federal Trade Commission fining the platform $5.7 million for violating the Children\u2019s Online Privacy Protection Act. This penalty was the largest for children\u2019s privacy in history, making it a ground-breaking case. According to the law, any platform collecting the data of children under 13 must collect parental consent \u2013 which TikTok failed to do. They also fail to provide explanations of how the data is collected.<\/p>\n With the ability to direct message anyone on the platform, security can be somewhat iffy on the site. Many users reach out to profiles to share content, videos, feedback, or interact, leaving children communicating with strangers. Flattery, compliments, and emojis can encourage conversations with strangers. The duets feature allows users to mesh a video with another profile. It also makes catfishing quite simple for those wanting to target specific profiles.<\/p>\n <\/a>If your child is on the platform, carefully comb through any direct messages or interactions with videos. If something seems off, consider a public data check<\/a> on the account name.<\/p>\n Although millions of users on the platform openly support and encourage others, many users can be dismissive or cruel. If videos aren\u2019t well-received, users can be targeted with react videos, duets, or harsh comments \u2013 which is embarrassing to young subscribers. Some users forget local friends and family may come across the videos, especially if they become viral. This can increase bullying in person, as well as online.<\/p>\n \u201cCringy\u201d videos (those that aren\u2019t well done) can be targets for bullies to make fun of and tease. Trolling is quite rampant, with many suffering from mental health implications. These reactions can negatively impact a child\u2019s self-esteem<\/a> or feeling of self-worth. Videos can be pretty disturbing to watch, and some reactions (or comments) may actually encourage harmful behaviors (like suicide, for example).<\/p>\n While the account may be set to private, it doesn\u2019t safeguard youngsters from graphic content. One video may be considered safe for kids, while a simple swipe to the left highlights the \u2018following\u2019 section. This feed highlights videos from followed profiles, including similar themes or other trending content that may not be kid-friendly.<\/p>\n While the platform doesn\u2019t allow nudity, it does enable adult themes. These include lingerie (red light and silhouette challenges) and dangerous activities (milk crate, cinnamon, and choking games). Although many adults find humor in these videos, youngsters may want to replicate the challenges in hopes of going viral.<\/p>\n The \u2018For you\u2019 page is consistently changing, but that doesn\u2019t mean it isn\u2019t without flaws. Occasionally, a video may show up that is liked by your child (for example, the Choking game<\/a>), which will change the algorithm in real-time. Assuming your tween interacts with a few videos, they\u2019re likely to end up on the side of TikTok well beyond their understanding.<\/p>\n These may include adult humor, inappropriate lip-syncing, and mental health struggles. They could also highlight dangerous trends or risky videos that could cause serious injuries. Although these videos are allowed on the platform, they may not be appropriate for some viewers.<\/p>\n Online safety is a must on any social media platform, and TikTok is no different. No level of privacy setting is going to prevent all adult content from reaching your child. While on the site, talk to your child about age-appropriate content. Make browsing a joint effort initially so that you can watch the content with your child. If your child isn\u2019t comfortable with you watching with them, there\u2019s a good chance they\u2019re not watching something appropriate. Always set your child\u2019s account to private on the site, under the settings and privacy page. Switch the discoverability off for the profile, so others won\u2019t find the account. This restriction means the videos shared won\u2019t be found either, unfortunately). The settings also allow control of direct messages, comments, and who can duet with the account. You can select friends or off, which will limit contact with strangers. Monitor the account frequently, including shared videos or drafts (videos created but not posted yet).<\/p>\n The post Is TikTok Safe for Children? 5 Things Parents Should Know<\/a> appeared first on 360PRWire<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It seems like everyone is jumping on to the popular social media platform TikTok, with nearly 2.6 billion downloads to date. It’s quickly become one of the hottest social media platforms for tweens and teens, but it’s left a few parents scratching their heads. Although this app seemed to come out of nowhere, it was …<\/p>\n Is TikTok Safe for Children? 5 Things Parents Should Know<\/span> Read More »<\/a><\/p>\n The post Is TikTok Safe for Children? 5 Things Parents Should Know<\/a> appeared first on 360PRWire<\/a>.<\/p>\nPrivacy Concerns Have Been Documented<\/h3>\n
Children can be targets<\/h2>\n
The Comments aren\u2019t Always Friendly<\/h2>\n
Private Settings Won\u2019t Prevent Explicit Content<\/h2>\n
You\u2019re Two Clicks Away from a Whole New TikTok<\/h2>\n
How to Keep Your Child Safe on TikTok<\/h2>\n