Children’s engagement in social networking platforms such as TikTok is rising. TikTok also has more than 1 billion users across the world, and to your surprise, almost 63% of U.S. teens use TikTok. However, it poses serious threats to their online safety. You will be shocked to know that almost 64% of kids have become victims of cyberbullying, and most of the cases were reported in COVID-19 due to excessive use of screen media. This article aims to inform you of the safety concerns of using TikTok for kids.
In this article, we’ll also learn the tips and tricks to ensure maximum safety on digital platforms like TikTok. So, keep reading!
TikTok overview
TikTok is a social media platform where people of almost all ages can create short videos for fun and engage with a broader community.
This platform came into existence in 2016, and you know it was launched by a Chinese Corporation known as ByteDance. This new App was initially known as “Douyin” in the Chinese market. The app, however, has gained significant popularity and is now one of the most downloaded applications globally.
Currently, more than 1 billion active TikTok users create billions of videos and repost them daily. There is a wide variety of content available to cater to everyone. For instance, you may find content related to humorous skits, innovative life hacks, dance trends, and even cooking recipes. That’s amazing!
Now, I will tell you that the biggest reason for its high demand is its user-friendly interface. For instance, with only a few buttons, you can make something eye-catching using the many filters and editing tools it provides. I feel the app understands your psychology well, and the ‘for you page’ automatically supplies content about your interests, keeping you entertained for an extended period.
TikTok has emerged as more than just a source of entertainment. It has become a platform where various creators, singers, and even businesses can obtain recognition. TikTok is not just fun and games. It is a place for talent and networking, and it brings the globe a bit closer together. If you do not know what it is, you are missing one of the great platforms.
Features of TikTok
TikTok is very charming due to the various features it offers. Let’s discuss them one by one!
- Miniature Clips: TikTok enables you to shoot and edit videos with a time of up to 3 minutes. It again increases the fun element to grab the audience’s attention. You have to keep the videos short.
- Tools for Editing Videos: You can include and apply awesome animations, overlays, and scenes to improve your videos.
- Music Integration: TikTok has various functions, including its extensive library of songs and sound effects.
- For You Page: In this segment of TikTok, you will be recommended videos based on your interests. This is because the app tracks the patterns you engage in.
- Hashtags, Trends, and Challenges: You can participate in several trending contests and challenges. You can use particular hashtags, which in turn aid in making the content you post go viral.
- Duets and Stitches: These functions on the platform allow you to engage with other users. You can respond to their videos, modify them, or combine them with your own.
How TikTok attracts kids
Remember that TikTok knows the techniques to engage kids and tempt them to remain on the application. Let’s look at its techniques to entice you back to the application.
Entertaining and Engaging Content: The very first thing kids notice on TikTok videos is the flashy, fun, and fast-paced interesting content that makes your jaw drop. Each new video gets better, more diverse, and more entertaining than the previous one.
Relatable characters: Most of the kids post their videos on TikTok. So, it feels amusing when kids watch someone of their age dancing, making jokes, and talking about their life.
Quick entertainment: Everyone needs some entertainment that is quick and thrilling. With TikTok, kids’ attention span is not challenged as there is no need to waste time on lengthy videos. Instead, you can find a short funny clip that will hold your interest for extended periods.
The Feeling of Togetherness: A sense of togetherness arises when kids start participating in TikTok trends and challenges. The reason is that, on TikTok, it’s very easy to interact with people with the same interests.
In a nutshell, TikTok can unlock kid’s creative side and teach them some fascinating new things.
How old do kids have to be to use TikTok？
TikTok has included an age restriction factor to establish comfort and safety while using the app. So, in this segment, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know if TikTok is available to you considering your age:
Age Restrictions: As per the guidelines set by TikTok, individuals wishing to create their accounts must be no less than 13 years of age. This guide follows the regulations set by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act ( COPPA ) that aim to keep children safe from online dangers.
Age Evaluation Process: To create your TikTok account, you must fill in your birthday information. However, the app still does not have a convincing way to validate this information or to determine if users are speaking the truth. There are no consequences for providing a false birthday.
A recent survey suggested that around 28% of TikTok users are under 18, and a significant proportion of these individuals are even lower than 13.
Parental Controls: If you’re below 18, TikTok permits your guardians to customize controls such as restricting content or limiting the amount of time spent on the app. This ensures your security during the application’s use.
Thus, TikTok is designed to be enjoyable, but always remember that staying safe while using the internet is even more important!
Benefits of TikTok for Kids
Despite the significant issues that come with the app, TikTok remains trending and appealing to its users, owing to the benefits that come with it. Let’s have a look at its key benefits!
Enhances creativity: TikTok inspires creativity by enabling you to make and share short videos. Various effects, filters, and music can be used to produce amusing content. Children frequently find new methods to communicate their feelings through dancing, acting, or displaying hidden skills.
New Ways of Learning: Many popular educational creators upload content on the platform, enabling you to engage in new ways of learning. Their videos consist of fun science facts, math tricks, and poetry. Additionally, some creators have self-help or motivational content that can help with personal development.
Fostering Connection: Through TikTok, kids can find other children with the same interests and interact with them. Now, you can make new friends worldwide and understand new cultures by following and interacting with them.
On the other hand, it is also crucial to understand the adverse effects that the app can have on an individual, which I will discuss in the next section.
Top TikTok safety concerns for kids
TikTok is a very popular app that teenagers and younger children are using. So, parents of kids and teenagers need to be aware of some of the following safety risks associated with the app:
Risk of inappropriate content:
One of the major issues is exposure to inappropriate content because of the common feature of algorithms in apps. A Common Sense Media 2022 report pointed out that while there are measures to filter out such videos, there are still a large number of younger users who are exposed to drugs, violence, and inappropriate content on the app.
Being victims of harassment and cyberbullying:
Other than exposure to inappropriate content, children and teenagers can still be bullied and harassed by others. It ensures that the app still acts as a harassment platform, much like other social media platforms.
A recent Pew survey indicated approximately 30%of older teenagers are bullied online, and around 22% of them are bullied on the app. Comment sections and sending direct messages are some of the additional avenues where harassment takes place in the app.
Risk of predators:
The public nature of TikTok allows strangers/users from across the world to message children and teenagers, which exposes them to online predators.
Privacy issues:
Children might not completely grasp what information they have shared on their profiles. The app can access the user’s location, device, and activities. According to Pew Research (2023), 60% of adolescents report having privacy concerns over social media platforms, including TikTok.
Therefore, parents should supervise their children’s usage of TikTok and discuss the impact of privacy settings.
Does TikTok have a kid version?
Yes. TikTok has developed an app meant for children under the age of 13 named TikTok for Younger Users. This Kid’s app has been developed and deployed in places such as the United States, the UK, and some parts of Europe. However, it was stated that this app was not released in certain other regions.
Differences between TikTok for Kids and the regular version
| TikTok for Kids | Regular version | |
| Age requirements | Under 13, with parental consent | 13 and older |
| Content Restrictions | Only age-appropriate content is shown | All content, including adult or explicit material |
| Interaction Limitations | Limited to only watching videos. No comments or direct messages are allowed | Full interaction, including comments, DMs, and live streams |
| Privacy Settings | Account set to private by default | Public by default, users can change settings |
| Viewing Time | Limited screen time for younger users | No restrictions on viewing time |
| Ads | Limited or no ads | Full access to ads |
| Search functionality | Restricted | Open Search |
Can the TikTok for kids solve safety concerns?
However, the TikTok for kids does not completely address safety issues:
With limited interactions and a proper age-based content network, TikTok for Kids has resolved some serious child safety issues. Still, it does not remove all the risks, including exposure to privacy issues, cyberbullying, and online predators. Parents should use tools like parental controls and monitor their conduct even on child-friendly device versions.
Moreover, you have to limit the usage hours of these technologically advanced devices or advise children on how to use the internet safely.
How to make TikTok safe for kids?
To strengthen the safety of children on TikTok, parents can follow these recommendations in practice:
Adjust privacy settings:
There is a likelihood that the account’s settings are currently public. Thus, children will encounter everyone they may not wish to interact with. So, parents must set their kid’s account to private for the approval process to be followed.
Limit screen time usage:
To improve a child’s mental and physical health. Limiting the time a child spends on TikTok is important. Children frequently spend more time than essential on TikTok, and there is a risk of it becoming damaging. Similarly, Common Sense Media (2022) noted that limiting the time kids spend in front of screens would minimize adverse effects on their health and overall welfare.
Open Discussion:
You need to talk with your child about what they watch on TikTok and ask them not to share anything that makes them uneasy.
Use parental control applications:
Technology has made monitoring your kid’s online activities much easier in this digital era. So, you also opt for such software, and FlashGet Kids comes in handy from all of them. The reason is that it gives you full control over your kid’s device usage. Let’s see how this is so!
Screen mirroring:
Firstly, this feature lets you see live what kind of videos your kids watch on TikTok and to whom your kids are involved.
Screen time:
TikTok is an exciting and engaging platform. So, kids might spend a lot of time on it by ignoring their health and studies. Thus, using FlashGet Kids, you can set time limits on specific apps like TikTok. You will instantly be notified if your kids try to exceed this limit.
Usage report:
FlashGet Kids also enables you to track the usage pattern of your kid’s mobile device. Thus, if you find that your kids have spent excessive time on TikTok, you can take action to prevent them from becoming victims of online dangers.
Content filtering and keyword detection:
FlashGet Kids also enables you to set customized keywords related to inappropriate content. Thus, if your kids try to browse content containing such keywords, it will filter out the explicit content.
Last thoughts
Thus, from the above discussion, we have concluded that TikTok is a fantastic platform not just for fun and entertainment but also gives you the chance to boost your creativity and get fame. However, when it comes to kids, you need to be cautious, as due to its broader user base, it is more likely that your kids may exposed to potential online threats like harassment, cyberbullying, etc.
Thus, you can use its TikToK for Kids version, which is much safer for kids than the older version. However, to ensure maximum security, you must consider the FlashGet Kids parental control app.
