At the end of the day, you are still the parent. 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). 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. But as kids have been continuing to hit download, parents are still wondering if it's. Is TikTok safe for 9 year olds? The anxiety, social pressure and insecurity our children are feeling is only amplified by apps such as TikTok. Call us on0808 800 5000or contact us online. When Abram came out from the cave, he was 10 years old. Are tiktok videos safe? You might be wondering, Is TikTok safe for 11-year-olds? What if my kid wants to get famous on TikTok? (Accounts for people under 16 are automatically set to private. Then tap Family Pairing and sync your account with your kid's via the QR code. Common Sense rates Instagram for age 15 and up because of mature content, access to strangers, marketing ploys, and data collection. We respect your privacy. VPNoverview.com Internet Safety Kids Online The Ultimate Guide to TikTok: Is TikTok Safe for Kids? Keep reading to learn more about the dangers, social expectations, and consequences of using this platform at a young age. Look out for things like graphic content and sexually explicit comments. Laura Bedrossian, vice president, social strategy, at integrated marketing communications agency Hot Paper Lantern, reminds parents that knowledge is power. Here's What the Experts Have to Say, What Is Photo Roulette? For kids age 13 to 15, accounts are private by default; only friends can comment on videos, and other users can't duet (explained below) with your videos Next, click on the three lines at the top right corner and click on Privacy. From that menu, youll be able to change several security settings. Sometimes they're spontaneous, but sometimes they're planned out by brands, musical artists, or influencers for marketing purposes. Nelson Aguilar is an LA-based tech how-to writer and graduate of UCLA. Norton Family Review (2023): Will It Keep Your Family Safe? If someone is tagging you in videos you don't want to see or mentioning you in comments as a way of targeted harassment, there is a way to prevent unwanted tagging. 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. While in the TikTok app and from your child's profile, you'll see three dots in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, Jordan notes. "Download the app yourself and see what it's all about so you can answer questions or even ask your child about what they're seeing on an app. TikToks comment and messaging features are home to online harassment, cyberbullying, and predatory messaging. Mental incapability in comprehending negative comments and cyber-stalking are horrific things that could affect your child's state of mind. Lastly, some children may turn to social media apps like TikTok because they are seeking affirmation or praise online. The app has an age-rating of 13+. Receive expert tips on using phones, computers, smart home gear and more. Toggle mobile navigation and focus the search field, Preparing for Your Visit or Stay at Children's, Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills. People can also create multiple accounts, using aliases to target others they don't like. Age is just one factor. First, connecting your account to your childs account using the feature Family Pairing gives you the ability to control some privacy settings. However, don't just set the controls and never check in with your child again. We walk you through the process to ensure that youre optimizing TikToks built-in safety settings: Though TikTok may have its issues, keeping an eye on your children and opening communication with them will help you feel better about their usage of the app. TikTok can be a kid-friendly experience if you supervise your kids, use safety settings, and stick to songs you already know. How to start the conversation with your child about staying safe online, and what to do if you're worried about online safety. They share this data with third parties, like their business partners, service providers, and advertisers, among others. This is a great time to be the training wheels for your kid as they learn to use . How can I monitor my kid's activity on TikTok? whole duty of mankind ministry on TikTok They won't be able to publish the video without selecting who will be allowed to see it. Any third-party app authorized on your childs TikTok account can get access to their location, contacts, camera, photos, or calendar. TikTok, like many other social media platforms, poses a significant danger to the mental, emotional, and physical health of children. Spotlight: This is another TikTok-like feature that collects snaps submitted by users into one giant feed. Parents' Ultimate Guide to TikTok | Common Sense Media The app is broken into two main feed sections. Like any social media app, TikTok can pose some risks to children and teens. Enable These Privacy Settings Right Now TikTok can be a dangerous place, especially for children. Our timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age. On the "Settings and privacy" page, tap Privacy. This way, youll see what theyre posting, who they interact with, and what videos they like. Just because you have an account does not mean you need to follow your child's account, but at least it can give you the knowledge and experience with the app to help your child set it up safely. It's the former public feed that's particularly problematic, Jordan notes. Users between the age of 13 and 15 have their account set to private by default, which prohibits them from private messaging and only allows friends to comment on their videos. Hence, your 10-year old's obsession with the TikTok app is probably one of the things you're scratching your head about. TikTokis thesecond-most popular social media site among American teenagers-- and for obvious reasons. Talk with them about what they enjoy about the app. What Parents Need To Know About the Gas App. The recommended age for TikTok by Common Sense Media, is 16+ but TikTok requires users to be at least 13+ and anyone under the age of 18 must have the approval of a parent or guardian. ", Also, under the "Safety" section of that same screen, you have the ability to customize who can post comments, who can Duet with your child, who can react to their videos, who can send them messages, and who can view videos they liked, she says. behavior, communication, safety, self-esteem, social media, social skills. Research out of China found that depression, anxiety, and stress stemming from TikTok addiction is linked to tied to poorer working memory for teens. Is TikTok Safe for Kids? 10 Things You Must Know - Hacked.com Not to mention, the part of a teens brain that is responsible for rational thinking is not fully developed until their mid-20s. TikTok for Under 13 If you decide to let your child use TikTok before they turn 13, you need to know the risks. Should I be concerned about TikTok's security? Extensively tested by our experts. The features under discoverability have to do with how people can find you (or how you find them) on TikTok. People of all ages use TikTok, and a lot of the videos involve lip-synching or dancing to pop hits. 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. Guides and resources for parents. Is Tiktok Safe for 12 Year Olds? - HugATeen.com Is Tiktok Safe for 10-Year-Olds? 2022 Children's Health. Have an open dialogue about the app and internet safety practices. TikToks limited version of the platform for those under 13 has extended privacy policies and restrictions. Parents can pair their childs account to their own through TikToks Family Pairing mode. 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. Common Sense recommends the app for age 15+ mainly due to the privacy issues and mature content. Sounds: TikTok-like feature that allows users to include music with snaps. Parents should regularly check the app to ensure the controls are still in place. 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. The nature of social media is risky because anyone could have access to your child or their information through some means. You can provide a buffer between kids and iffy content by watching with your kids and making videos together. Nonetheless, the case is a reason parents should remain vigilant against data abuses, she says. Social media apps are known for harmful effects on mental health, like increased depression and anxiety, according to researchers. It's also important to remember that the app is meant for kids who are 13 or older. Only users age 16 and over can livestream and use direct messaging, and only users over 18 can buy, send, or receive virtual gifts. TikTok is also a lot more . loadService(); Take, for example, the Cinnamon Challenge, the Choking Game, and the Kiki Challenge. And according to The Wall Street Journal, doctors in multiple countries are reporting a rise in teen girls developing severe physical tics, and that anxiety, depression, and TikTok could be contributing factors. If you have a public account and you're over 16 years old, anyone on TikTok can access your profile and watch your videos. You could even suggest creating a video together, like filming yourself taking part in a dance challenge. They also talked about how screenshots and screen recording tech can mean something seemingly impermanent might become a meme that haunts you. Children's Health will not sell, share or rent your information to third parties. However, exposure to age-inappropriate material can still occur, and parental supervision is recommended. If you're only enabling this on your kid's phone, choose a passcode to lock the setting. But dont worry, you can keep your kids safe on TikTokby understanding the risks and then talking to your teen about your concerns. TikTok encourages content creation, as users can use the "Reactions" feature to respond to videos they like with their own take. Registered charity in England and Wales (216401), Scotland (SC037717) and Jersey (384). Not only are these videos potentially disturbing to viewers who see them in passing, but reactions to posts might encourage self-harm. However, TikTok does have several privacy and safety features built into the app. Every parent has to decide at what age it is safe for their child to access the Internet. Is TikTok Safe for Kids? - Parents "If your kid is on any social media platform, make sure you as a parent or guardian have some understanding of it," she notes. TikTok is no exception to this trend. There are privacy concerns when it comes to user data on TikTok. A video tells others what they look like, their age, sometimes where they live and other personal information. Under Digital Wellbeing, youll also see Restricted Mode. 8 Best Apps for Keeping Tabs on Your Kids. You can (and should!) For the most secure experience, we recommend turning these features off. 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. Here are some of our favourite internet safety resources to help you learn more about e-safety for 6-10 year-olds and pass on the message to them. There are still other ways to download videos from TikTok, especially with third-party services. As with social media apps like Instagram and Snapchat, TikTok has a commercial element that encourages people to buy stuff. Best answer: TikTok can be safe for kids 13 years and older. The more likes, followers, or comments a video gets, the more validation your teen feels they are receiving. Please read our privacy policy. Most of the popular challenges, such as the intricately choreographed dance number Renegade and pranks such as the backwards hoodie fridge mixup are harmless. With more than a decade of experience, he covers Apple and Google and writes on iPhone and Android features, privacy and security settings and more. Is TikTok safe? | NSPCC Or an anxious 10-year-old who wants to send videos to his friends? The answer is: probably not. Another feature that you and your child should know is how to report and block harmful content, comments, or users. They also illegally stored minors' data. "And many chase after that popularity by taking part in challenges, which can often be dangerous. 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. 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. Age is just one factor. We suggest making the following changes: The next section is personalization and data, including settings that determine how TikTok uses your teens data to target advertisements. Go toProfile>three-dash menu>Settings and privacy>Privacy>Mentions and tags,and configure these settings: You can restrict who mentions and tags you on TikTok. These things might be harder for them to share with you directly because theyre embarrassed or scared. However, being active in the digital world means that your child is always accessible to some extent. Is Overwatch Safe for Kids? 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. Use these settings to manage it. Consider adjusting the following settings: Don't like what's going on in your comment section? Where there is social media, theres inappropriate content. No place on the internet is entirely safe for kids, including the TikTok app. Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? No matter which social media platform your child is usingeven if it's a purportedly trustworthy, limited version aimed at children, like YouTube Kidsthey'll likely come across potential safety issues. Parents want to keep their kids safe not only at school, in the playground, and at home but online too. TikTok introduced the Family Pairing mode in 2022, which lets parents link their account to their kid's account. Offer to hold the camera or turn it around to do a selfie duet. Our children are living in a digital world. They did this to comply with COPPA or the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act. By default, TikTok collects a lot of data about user activity. If your account is set to private, no one but you can create a Duet or Stitch with your videos. 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. It only exists as part of a privacy lawsuit settled by TikTok, so most parents arent aware of it. 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. Those under 16 don't have access to direct messages. They care little about age, circumstance, or the well-being of others. To find your comment settings, go toProfile>three-dash menu>Settings and privacy>Privacy > Comments. This means that theres a whole range of videos that feature different topics, challenges or ideas. )For many users, widespread exposure is the attraction of TikTok. For instance, there is always potential that your child will be exposed to age-inappropriate content like explicit lyrics, dangerous stunts or sexual content. 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. Should I Let My 11-Year Old Kid Use Tiktok? - @Famisafe There are other ways to protect your child while they use the full version of the app, but doing so violates TikToks guidelines. According to TikToks terms and conditions, all users must be at least 13 years of age to access the full application. Is TikTok safe for kids? A parent's opinion. - Mamamia 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. Then, make sure you have your kid's phone and their TikTok login handy. As long as someone knows your TikTok username, they can tag you in other videos or mention you in comments. 10-year-old Girl Dies in 'Blackout Challenge' Circulating on TikTok Even with limits, it's easy to find people wearing revealing clothing and dancing suggestively, although TikTok won't let you search for objectionable content such as "porn.". Using the platform can potentially expose children to predators, mature content, bullying, and data breaches. Users can also earn TikTok Reward points by inviting friends to download the app, and then they can redeem those points for coupons from brands like Sephora and Uber. Is there a kid friendly version of TikTok? 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!" In this section, kids can only see curated, clean videos, and aren't allowed to comment, search, or post their own videos. Your TikTok account is normally suggested to several groups, including your contacts, Facebook friends, people with mutual connections and people who open or send links to you (including links to content on TikTok that are shared outside of TikTok). By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Kids may not realize that when they put a video out, they are telling people on the Internet things about themselves. We want people to have fun on TikTok, but it's also important for our community to look after their wellbeing which means having a healthy relationship with online apps and services," according to TikTok. Comments on any social media service can quickly turn hostile, and TikTok is no exception. An in-box notification setting can also send you a notification anytime someone you follow likes or comments on videos you're mentioned in, but that doesn't really affect your privacy on TikTok. https%3A%2F%2Fvpnoverview.com%2Finternet-safety%2Fkids-online%2Fis-tiktok-safe-for-kids%2F. How Do I Protect My Young Child from Cyberbullying? The default is referred to as "For You," which is an algorithmically generated stream of videos similar to Instagram's Explore page, Wired explains. For instance, TikTok collects registration details including name, birth date, username, and password. 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. However, the lack of these features makes it unappealing for most kids. "Some children might set their account up with a fake age, to appear older than they are, and this makes it more likely that they will be exposed to content that is not suitable for them.". TikTok is also a great way to connect with friends and other people with similar interests, making it easy to share videos back and forth. For kids age 13 to 15, accounts are private by default. Like many social media outlets, TikTok uses user data for a variety of activities unrelated to the application. 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. For any age child, talk to them about setting their privacy controls as strongly as possible. 2. And bypassing that section only requires entering a false birth date, so it's not perfect. Parents utilizing this tool can manage account restrictions, view watch history, and track app activities. 7 Best Parental Control and Monitoring Apps of 2023, Everything ParentsNeedto Know About Discord, I'm a Mom and a Children's Privacy Lawyer: Here's What I Do and Don't Post About My Kid Online, Why It's Never Too Early to Teach Your Child Good Social Media Habits, Is Omegle Safe for Kids? TikTok's official age requirement is 13 years old. 7 Safety Concerns for Parents, What Parents Need to Know About the Metaverse, Is Roblox Safe for Kids? Talk to your child about the app's potential dangers, such as meeting random strangers or posting content they may regret. Your child's safety is the most important thing. As of August 12, 2021, the app rolled out the following new safety features for teens: In February 2020, TikTok announced new parental control settings released in the United Kingdom (and coming to more countries soon). If you don't feel comfortable with other people having your videos saved on their devices, you can disable that feature. That said, TikTok doesn't necessarily have a perfect record when it comes to privacy and security. Best Apps for Kids Ages 9-12 | Common Sense Media It can provide hours of entertainment but also comes with a few safety risks and security issues. Before diving into TikTok, consider who you want accessing your videos and profile. So, what is it exactly that kids and teens love about TikTok? "Check that your child's TikTok account has been set up using the correct data of birth," advises Jo O'Reilly, digital privacy advocate at ProPrivacy. Learn more about Amazon Lockers. If they know youre keeping an eye on their activity, teens will think twice about what they post. This way, they can have fun creating, socializing, and connecting. However, it can be easy for children and young people to come across inappropriate content on the app. She is 10 years old. So, your child could come across swearing, scantily clad adults, and suggestive dancing.. Kids familiar with these examples might be persuaded to do or share things they wouldn't normally do to get a larger audience. People online can be ruthless because they can speak freely and without consequence. However, while TikTok is fun, the same elements that make TikTok a digital playground for kids also pose some serious security issues.