Nowadays, you can do everything online. Whether you want to shop for food or talk to people across the globe, you can rely on the net. One of the most used digital products is social media. This includes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and likes. Generally, as long as the user can make and post content, it falls under this category. One particular app that is on the rise these days is TikTok. Along with its fame comes an issue that parents need to know. Is TikTok a real threat for kids?
What is TikTok?
For those who are not yet familiar with TikTok, you probably knew it back then as Musical.ly. This is a video-based app wherein users can make and view videos from other creators.
What makes this different is the randomized content feature. Meaning, you don’t have to follow certain users just to have a feed. This app mainly works through a curated “For You Page” or FYP. Though you won’t have a clue as to what the next video is, you can expect relevance. TikTok picks up the content types that you liked or interacted with. This will be their basis as to what you want to see on your page.
TikTok’s Age Guidelines
Knowing any app’s age guidelines is essential as a parent. This will let you know its minimum age requirement. Not only that, but this will also give you an idea of what content to expect. We will talk about the specific types of content in the next section. For now, here are the details of TikTok’s age guidelines:
- App Rating: 13+
- TikTok requires users to be 13 years old and above to have full access to the platform.
- Kids under the age of 13 can sign up. They, however, will only have access to TikTok for Younger Users.
- TikTok for Younger Users is another version of the app that has more privacy terms.
- Once the app finds kids under the required age using the regular version, they will remove both their content and account.
The main issue here is the risk of kids lying about their age when signing up. This is what you should mainly prevent. You can do so through tight supervision of their online activities.
What Types of Videos Are in Tiktok?
Now, let us talk about the specific types of videos in TikTok. Realistically, you will find a variety of topics in the app. For a clearer view, though, here is a list:
- Pets
- Education
- Science
- Fashion
- Vlog-Like Videos
- Celebrities
- Travel and Lifestyle
- Social Issues
- Challenges
- Trends
- Dance Videos
- Art and Literature
- 18+ Content like gambling at casino VulkanBet.
The list can go on and on. Unlike others, TikTok does not limit its content as to what’s trending. This is what makes it unique. It is, however, risky as some even have triggering content.
Cons of Kids Using TikTok
You don’t have to worry if a child uses TikTok for Younger Users. However, if they somehow get the chance to use the regular version, here are the possible cons that you should expect:
- Early Exposure to 18+ Content
Most of the content creators of TikTok are teens to adults. This means that most of their videos cater specifically to other users of their age. This can lead to the child being exposed to inappropriate content. By inappropriate, we are referring to sex, drugs, alcohol and self-harm. When worse comes to worst, they may even try to copy them.
- “Stranger Danger”
If kids get to comment on things, they may form an unlikely relationship with a total stranger. The possibilities are endless but expect that none of them is good. Even fully-grown adults can pretend to be little kids who have the same interest. This can also make your kid an easy target for pedophiles and groomers.
Of course, these will only happen if you don’t look after their activities. There is a reason why TikTok requires its users to be above 13.
How to Make TikTok Kid-Friendly
To avoid encountering any kind of issues, TikTok offers a variety of solutions to keep their app kid-friendly. Here are some settings that you can look into:
- TikTok for Younger Users: This is the default version for users below 13.
- Family Pairing: This will let you customize the app’s settings in terms of:
- Account Privacy
- Comment Section
- Direct Messages
- Search Feature
- Screen Time Management
- Restricted Mode
You may want to take advantage of the Restricted Mode feature. This is where you can prevent certain content from appearing on the For You Page.
To ensure that you can monitor each activity, it is best if you download TikTok on your phone. In this way, they won’t be left alone with the app. You can make a separate account for your kids and yours. Alternatively, you can let them use your account in Family Pairing mode.
Conclusion
TikTok is not age-appropriate for kids. However, with supervision and the right settings, this is not necessarily a threat.
Disclaimer, it is still not advisable to let children below 13 have an account. However, if you want them to have some form of entertainment, you should:
- Assist kids while watching TikTok videos.
- Manage the type of content that they will see on TikTok.
- Limit exposure by setting a fixed screen time.
The steps above will ensure safe browsing. Talking to them about the dangers of the internet will also be a big help. Without these, TikTok will be nothing but a bad tool for kids.
