TikTok is a fast-growing social media app used for uploading and sharing short videos of 60 seconds. Though it is widely popular, is TikTok safe for kids? Although people of all ages use TikTok, its short video format particularly attracts youngsters, including children under 13, who may be exposed to mature content and privacy issues. TikTok was formed by merging two popular apps, Douyin and Musical.ly, in 2018. After this merger, the social media platform has gathered more than 800 million active users. In addition, TikTok is available in 75 languages and 150 markets worldwide (1) (2). Read this post to learn about the risks of TikTok for kids and the safety measures to consider while using it.
Is TikTok Safe For Kids?
TikTok is not considered completely safe for children, but the app is appealing to them as it allows free expression in creative ways. They can create videos on any topic, ranging from sports and fitness to recipes and DIY tutorials. However, TikTok requires adult supervision and a private account for the following reasons (3)(4):
Children often encounter inappropriate content that portrays offensive language and actions even after filtering the content.
TikTok has a commercial element that offers reward points if children invite their friends to download the app. These points can be redeemed for coupons from different brands.
Strangers are always looking to connect with children on TikTok, and this may be a safety concern.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Use TikTok?
According to TikTok’s terms and conditions, the minimum age for using the app is 13 years. However, younger children can access a restricted version of the platform. Here are the different rules for users of different ages (3):
What Are The Risks Of TikTok For Kids?
Since TikTok is a social platform, it poses some risks for children. These risks include (3)(5)
What Do Parents Need To Know About TikTok For Kids?
If your child is using TikTok, you need to be aware of certain facts that might help ensure their safety. Some of these facts are listed below (4) (6) (7):
Your child can open a TikTok account using their existing Google, Facebook, or email accounts, posing a greater risk of shared personal information.
There are chances that inappropriate content (mature content) may crop up on your child’s profile even after applying the privacy settings. Exposure to such content can negatively affect children.
Certain conversations on sensitive topics, such as politics, racism, and violence, can affect your child’s mental health.
Friends and other people on the app might force your child to develop better content.
Your child may become a target of cyberbullying as users may criticize their content, which might affect their self-confidence.
The child may develop body image issues or problems with their self-esteem.
What Safety Measures Should Be Taken While Using TikTok?
Social media platforms offer a fun way to express creativity, so it is not wrong for your child to want to use them. However, it may be necessary to enable parental controls over the app’s usage to monitor your child’s activity closely from time to time. Some of the safety measures to follow are explained below (3) (8) (9):
