Is TikTok Safe for 8-Year-Olds? Know the Risks & Dangers For the most secure experience, we recommend turning these features off. TikTok shares many of the same dangers as the wider Internet. }); Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH. Read a summary of the article here! Although you have to enter a birthday at account creation, TikTok does not take additional measures to verify age. If children delete the app and reinstall it, those controls will be gone. According to Jordan,. Jordan points out that the app's "Duets" feature, which allows you to remix another user's video and lip-synch or dance alongside them in a new clip, has been exploited by sexual predators. However, while TikTok is fun, the same elements that make TikTok a digital playground for kids also pose some serious security issues. 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. TikTok is a video-shared focused social media site launched in 2016 that has been downloaded over two billion times and has over 600 million users, as of this year. This allows full access to mature content such as sexually explicit themes, drug-related activities, and violence. Should a 10 year old child be using Tik Tok why or why not? "This is the largest civil penalty in a children's privacy case in history," Jordan says. 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. behavior, communication, safety, self-esteem, social media, social skills. Block someone's account so they can't see your profile, send you messages and more. Children can contactChildlineany time to get support themselves. "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. loadService(); Should I Let My 11-Year Old Kid Use Tiktok? - @Famisafe Is TikTok Safe for 10-Year-Olds? Understand the Dangers Because TikTok uses algorithms to show users new content, its easy for young people to come across inappropriate or upsetting videos. Alternatively, you could allow them to keep using the app through the Family Pairing feature (which we talk about below). Social media is a double-edged sword, and you need to make sure they're ready. While full use of TikTok is technically limited to ages 13 and up, children can easily get around that by putting in a false birthdate. On this page, you can also control other safety and privacy features, such as who can send you comments and direct messages, and who can do a duet with you. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. There's huge enticement to get famous, including TikTok houses where groups of young creators live, make videos, and potentially reap big-money endorsements and sponsorships. Our app reviews will guide you toward the best apps for this age group, and steer you away from the ones that aren't worth your time. 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. With social media platforms like TikTok gaining popularity, there are valid concerns for the parents of older children. TikTok on its own is not safe or recommended for those under 13. You can also ask about any friends they've met online and what types of videos they share. Nelson Aguilar is an LA-based tech how-to writer and graduate of UCLA. Heres what we suggest you explore and pay attention to in the app: Family Pairing doesnt allow you to monitor your childs activity. To learn more about online safety for your kids, read our definitive guide here. In addition to security issues, there are other problems with the social media app that could cause issues for your child. For kids age 13 to 15, accounts are private by default. You can choose from "Everyone," "Friends," and "Off.". 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!" Fortunately there are several features buried in your TikTok settings to help you moderate your comments and eliminate spam and hateful comments. You'll now be able to see everyone who's viewed your profile in the last 30 days. People can also create multiple accounts, using aliases to target others they don't like. It's easy to encounter inappropriate content. However, TikTok does have several privacy and safety features built into the app. Talk to your kids about TikTok and your concerns like the dangers of having a public profile or talking to strangers. Is TikTok safe for 9 year olds? - Weyk Global Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. There are still other ways to download videos from TikTok, especially with third-party services. "I'm so hurt. There are two main reasons why you should set up your own account on TikTok. 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. If you feel your child has posted something inappropriate or is not using TikTok safely, it's okay to remove their access to the app or, if necessary, switch out their smartphone for a simple flip phone. Best answer: TikTok can be safe for kids 13 years and older. These are all opportunities to get a better feel for what they are doing while also giving them positive reinforcement for being responsible, safe, and maybe even creative or artistic. Common Sense rates Instagram for age 15 and up because of mature content, access to strangers, marketing ploys, and data collection. Even though the app makers recommend that all users be older than 13, that doesn't automatically mean your teenager is ready for TikTok. Using the Friends setting or turning those features off completely limits contact with strangers. Users can browse different videos on TikTok via a personalised feed known as the For You Page. Parents can manage this by encouraging and modeling safe behavior, and putting limits on the type of information that kids share. Read questions that others are asking about this popular social media app in our FAQs. Turning on this algorithm-based feature changes the appearance of mature or otherwise inappropriate content for younger TikTok users. The second user can then lip-synch along with the first person, either swapping back and forth or in a split screen. Below, we provide general pointers on how to keep kids safe on TikTok. Ask them to show you their favorite videos. TikTok users sign up with a phone number, an email address, or a third-party account such as Facebook and Instagram. The social media company was also sued in the UK on the basis that the app collects childrens personal information and does not provide a clear explanation as to what the company does with the data. A Comprehensive Guide for Parents. Social media also exposes kids to violent, graphic, or misinformed content they might not be ready to see. Accessibility, Six safety settings to help keep your child safe, Online safety for families and children with SEND, The Omaze Million Pound House Draw winners announced, Promoting your fundraising on social media, London Landmarks Skyscraper Challenge 2023. What is TikTok? And is it safe? A guide for clueless parents - NBC News Get your own TikTok account and educate yourself. If a teen reaches their limit, they have to enter a passcode to keep scrolling. This is a pain that won't go away.. So, your child could come across swearing, scantily clad adults, and suggestive dancing.. Weve put together a comprehensive guide to help you determine the best course of action for your childs TikTok use. Family Pairing connects your TikTok account to your childs account through a QR code. Here are 11 settings that can help protect from unwanted followers, harmful comments and violent videos on TikTok. "Kids may get sucked into the pressure to create more and better content, and this can cause anxiety, especially if they're not getting popular," she notes. TikTok is safe for 12-years olds, but only the curated version for users under the age of 13. The default is referred to as "For You," which is an algorithmically generated stream of videos similar to Instagram's Explore page, Wired explains. April 24, 2022 There are currently many social networks that, as a parent, you should keep track of your child engaging in. Sign them up for the curated version for tweens under 13. By default, TikTok collects a lot of data about user activity. 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. Is TikTok Safe for Kids? If these options are activated, TikTok and its third-party business partners will track internet activity so they can show your teen more relevant ads. Need the fast version? They may use these features to build trust with your child, which could lead to physical danger. TikTok has different rules for different ages: Users under age 13 can't post videos or comment, and content is curated for a younger audience. 2. Are tiktok videos safe? They did this to comply with COPPA or the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act. Only users age 16 and over can livestream and use direct messaging, and only users over 18 can buy, send, or receive virtual gifts. For any age child, talk to them about setting their privacy controls as strongly as possible. They also have restricted access to direct messages and livestreaming. RELATED: The Parents Guide to Getting Their First Phoneand Teaching Them to Be Good Digital Citizens, Jordan encourages parents to have open, honest, and ongoing conversations about what's happening in this digital space, noting, "If your child uses the app and you have not yet sat down with them to look at it together, that would be a great first step.". Restricted Mode was designed to prevent kids from seeing mature contentprovided they don't independently try to seek it outand adults can sign up for an account and then link it to their kid's account via the Family Pairing mode. Delivered Tuesdays and Thursdays. They may also become obsessed with likes and virtual approval, which isn't healthy for their emotional well-being. Or you can use your phone contacts or social media followers to find friends already on the app. Users might become victims of cyberbullying. For instance, there is always potential that your child will be exposed to age-inappropriate content like explicit lyrics, dangerous stunts or sexual content. We respect your privacy. Fellowship and Subspecialty Training Programs, Child Life and Music Therapy Training Opportunities, Pediatric Clinical Trials & Experimental Medication, Resources for Transgender Youth and Their Families. They want to be part of something cool, even if it turns out to be dangerous. However, don't just set the controls and never check in with your child again. Parents, Beware The Dangers Of TikTok - Scary Mommy