When you report harmful content, it is flagged by TikTok, reviewed, and then removed from TikTok completely. Investigations of TikTok found that the app's privacy policy and data collection practices aren't actually any worse than other social media apps, and that the concerns about spying are probably overblown. At the end of the day, you are still the parent. But if you're asking yourself: Is TikTok safe for an 11-year-old (or whatever age your child is), take a step back and evaluate your kiddo's personality, maturity level, and digital usage. Additionally, by using apps, it's important to be aware that you are sharing personal information, and that can come with some risks. 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. Below, we provide general pointers on how to keep kids safe 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.". 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. Social Media. While this doesnt eliminate security risks or mental health safety, its a great place to start. Within TikToks security settings, there are three specific parental controls to help parents create a safer experience for their children. That's why TikTok has started implementing parental controls on the app (although these controls aren't yet available in the U.S.), RELATED: Life Skills to Teach Your Child by Age 10, TikTok allows users to contact anyone in the world, and this comes with its own host of hazards. and they're extremely easy to circumvent. TikTok gives users the option to approve comments before they are visible, but this doesnt keep the users from reading them, which can be harmful to kids mental health. Learn why it's important to be aware of your child's online activities and how to encourageonline safety in the digital age. Social media apps are known for harmful effects on mental health, like increased depression and anxiety, according to researchers. The features under discoverability have to do with how people can find you (or how you find them) on TikTok. It's true that users must be over 18 without parental permission, but reality is that children don't always follow these rules. The minimum age for TikTok users is 13 years old. In the meantime, however, you can begin educating them about internet safety and online privacy. The Duet feature lets you create a reaction split-screen video, combining half of your video with half of someone's else's video to create a single reaction video. Restricted Mode. TikTok has a poor history of data security. How Do I Protect My Young Child from Cyberbullying? This is a pain that won't go away.. However, being active in the digital world means that your child is always accessible to some extent. Is TikTok inappropriate for kids under 10 years old? Mom Warns That Her 7-Year-Old's Avatar Was Sexually Assaulted on an Online Game. Charley is a mother of three with a passion for raising good humans. Not only can you report individual accounts, but also specific videos, comments and direct messages. All accounts created by 13-16-year-olds are set to private by default. Parents can set a passcode in the childs account to prevent them from disabling the feature. TikTok on its own is not safe or recommended for those under 13. Use these settings to manage it. 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. TikTokis thesecond-most popular social media site among American teenagers-- and for obvious reasons. TikTok allows creators to access popular songs to edit their videos, some of which contain harsh curse words and sexual language. People online can be ruthless because they can speak freely and without consequence. First, find the account you want to block and go to their profile. 2. According to the TikTok policy, the user must be at least 13 years old to use the app's full features. Kids may not realize that when they put a video out, they are telling people on the Internet things about themselves. They arent allowed to comment, post videos, or search for users and tags. This is my place to share my journey. This blocks mature content, but even with the filter on, kids using the app on their own might come across age-inappropriate videos. Fellowship and Subspecialty Training Programs, Child Life and Music Therapy Training Opportunities, Pediatric Clinical Trials & Experimental Medication, Resources for Transgender Youth and Their Families. There are also several tutorial videos that can help kids learn how to use tiktok. Delivered Tuesdays and Thursdays. "Are you attracted to the world of glamor and celebrities to. When Abram came out from the cave, he was 10 years old. It's the former public feed that's particularly problematic, Jordan notes. You can provide a buffer between kids and iffy content by watching with your kids and making videos together. There are privacy concerns when it comes to user data on TikTok. Given the social app's rise in popularity and recent media attention surrounding potential privacy concerns many parents are probably wondering if TikTok is safe for their child. A recent report by Ofcom highlighted that over half of 3-17-year-olds are using TikTok. 7 Safety Concerns for Parents, What Parents Need to Know About the Metaverse, Is Roblox Safe for Kids? If your child sets up a false account, then their data and information can be used in accordance with TikToks terms and conditions. What to do if you're worried about something a child has experienced online. BuzzFeed News reported on the issue in June, noting that predators who lurk on the app often use "Duets" to send young creators explicit messages. No, TikTok does not promote a safe environment for kids below 13 as it is home to mature and vulgar content. For kids under 13, TikTok created a Younger Users version of the social media app. With 3 billion downloads to date, TikTok is currently the hottest social media site for tweens and teens. They did this to comply with COPPA or the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act. "Like any social media platform that has a direct message or commenting feature, there's always the possibility that your child could be chatting with anyone, including strangers," Jordan says. Get your own TikTok account and educate yourself. 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. To set screen time management, go to the Settings and Privacy page and choose Digital Wellbeing. This section is about managing a users experience in terms of screen time and content filters. "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. Cyberbullies will troll others online and make rude or hateful comments on their videos. Kidzworld: This is a moderated, child-friendly application that allows children to participate in forums and chat with others their age. How can I monitor my kid's activity on TikTok? 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. In her free time, she enjoys traveling within the states to kayak, camp, and hike. A video tells others what they look like, their age, sometimes where they live and other personal information. Nelson Aguilar March 2, 2023 5:50 a.m. PT 8 min read. Before diving into TikTok, consider who you want accessing your videos and profile. 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. Blocking and reporting content on TikTok doesnt just keep the app a safer place for your child, but other children using it, too. Is TikTok Safe For Kids and Teens? Technically, kids under 13 cant sign up for a regular TikTok account because it violates COPPA. The best mobile apps for tweens can provide a rich world of entertainment for growing minds. If you swipe left, you'll see a more personally curated feed called "Following," featuring uploads from the people you choose to follow. 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. 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. To turn on Restricted Mode, set a 4-digit passcode. If your 12-year-old tween wants TikTok, there are several things you can do to let them enjoy the fun side of TikTok while keeping them safe. Who you follow and what you like can give others more information than you might want to share, but you can easily set TikTok so that no one but you can see your follower list and liked videos. "We also discussed why it's so important to have a private account and only connect with people you truly know in real life," Jordan says. For more about TikTok and privacy, learn how the company is protecting young users from inappropriate videos and why some US regulators are worried about TikTok sharing private user data with China. New safety features were introduced as of August 2021. The ways that creators dance or dress may not be appropriate for all kids, either. TikTok is no exception to this trend. This ensures that children cant change the parental controls settings once they are set. Common Sense Media. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Spotlight: This is another TikTok-like feature that collects snaps submitted by users into one giant feed. "The law requires companies to obtain parental consent to collect the data of kids under 13, and TikTok did not do so. Talk to your child about self control, compassion and empathy. "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. With her children in tow, she studies Obstetric Sonography and has made a career creating content about motherhood. On the contrary, the FixAppRatings movement suggests that the kid must be over the age of 17 to use TikTok. This doesnt mean you spy on their activity every day, but that you spot-check activity regularly to look for red flags. All rights reserved. Another feature that you and your child should know is how to report and block harmful content, comments, or users. Previously, TikTok was criticized for not removing accounts that made sexually explicit comments on the accounts of children, posing a serious safety risk for kids on TikTok. Is Snapchat safe for preteens and teens? Like many social media outlets, TikTok uses user data for a variety of activities unrelated to the application. To do this, go toProfile>three-dash menu>Settings and privacy>Privacy and then: The Duet and Stitch features are fun, but they can also get out of control. 2K Likes, TikTok video from SharkTank (@sharktank_tiktok): "A 10-year-old girl introduces a safe and fun spoon design for kids - Part 2 #sharktank #foryou #fyp #projectpollo #deal #money #show #foryoupage #fyp". 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. Common Sense recommends the app for age 15+ mainly due to the privacy issues and mature content. Heres what we suggest you explore and pay attention to in the app: Family Pairing doesnt allow you to monitor your childs activity. Instead, you can ask to follow your child. Parents should regularly check the app to ensure the controls are still in place. You might post videos on TikTok for everyone to see, but that doesn't necessarily mean you want everyone to be able to see who you're following or which videos you like. You can report something for a variety of reasons, including minor safety, disordered eating, self-harm, adult nudity, bullying, harassment, spam, harmful misinformation, illegal activities, violent content and more. TikTok users sign up with a phone number, an email address, or a third-party account such as Facebook and Instagram. So, your child could come across swearing, scantily clad adults, and suggestive dancing.. Go toProfile>three-dash menu>Settings and privacy>Privacy>Direct messages,and change these settings: Don't let just anyone send you a direct message. Children of all ages utilize the platform for entertainment and communication and to gain a social following. Check out our social media rules for high schoolers. "Kids who admit to depression are often met with dismissive and sarcastic reactions," she says. TikTok is required to comply with the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which limits what data companies can collect about kids under 13. The good news is caring about internet safety comes with age and experience. How safe is TikTok? second-most popular social media site among American teenagers, protecting young users from inappropriate videos, TikTok sharing private user data with China, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Keep in mind that even older teenagers are still developing self-regulation, so they still could post things on TikTok they later regret.