"When you scroll down to the 'Privacy and safety' option under "Account," you will see the option to set the child's account to private (recommended to toggle that on), as well as allow others to find them (recommended to toggle that off). "If your kid is on any social media platform, make sure you as a parent or guardian have some understanding of it," she notes. Many kids on TikTok like to create videos, but plenty of people don't post themselvesthey just use the app to find and follow content creators. These things might be harder for them to share with you directly because theyre embarrassed or scared. However, exposure to age-inappropriate material can still occur, and parental supervision is recommended. 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. 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? "Some are even publicly encouraged to attempt suicide.". Using any social network can be risky, but it's possible for kids to safely use the app with adult supervision (and a private account). Receive expert tips on using phones, computers, smart home gear and more. Turning on this algorithm-based feature changes the appearance of mature or otherwise inappropriate content for younger TikTok users. 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. 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. 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. To find these settings, go to the homepage and find the Profile icon in the bottom right corner. For younger children, parents can turn on parental controls so they can restrict what content children can view. Or an anxious 10-year-old who wants to send videos to his friends? The answer is: probably not. The presence of cyberbullies, predators, and inappropriate content makes the platform a dangerous place. In her free time, she enjoys traveling within the states to kayak, camp, and hike. Because TikTok uses algorithms to show users new content, its easy for young people to come across inappropriate or upsetting videos. Help for adults concerned about a childCall us on 0808 800 5000, Help for children and young peopleCall Childline on 0800 1111, For supporter, donation and fundraising queries Call us on 020 7825 2505. document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) { How can I monitor my kid's activity on TikTok? If you're not a fan of these features or don't want other users putting your videos into theirs, you can disable them so that no one can Duet or Stitch your video. Accounts for children between ages 13-15 will not receive push notifications after 9 p.m. For teens between ages 16-17, push notifications will be disabled after 10 p.m. Users between the ages 16 and 17 must actively switch their settings to enable direct messaging. It's not all fun, games, and lip-sync videos, after all. "This is the largest civil penalty in a children's privacy case in history," Jordan says. You can also learn more about the safety of other popular social media apps: Do you have more questions about TikTok? Children's Health will not sell, share or rent your information to third parties. For its younger users, TikTok collects less data (though it still captures registration details including name, birth date, username, and password). The most popular social media apps are always changing, and it can be a challenge for parents to keep up. 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. Users can block and report accounts or comments, but critics say TikTok is often slow in addressing reports. 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. Common Sense Media offers the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Even though the Younger Users version of TikTok filters out mature content, its still likely that inappropriate content will make its way through. The platform also has communication features that allow users to privately message each other which could put your child at risk of being contacted by someone they dont know. With her children in tow, she studies Obstetric Sonography and has made a career creating content about motherhood. 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. If you have kids on TikTok, or even use the service yourself, it's important to familiarize yourself with all the features and settings TikTok provides to help bolster your privacy. It's easy to encounter inappropriate content. The caveat is that the kid-friendly version isnt commonly utilized. First, find the account you want to block and go to their profile. By default, anyone who stumbles across your video on TikTok can download it using the site's built-in video download feature. https%3A%2F%2Fvpnoverview.com%2Finternet-safety%2Fkids-online%2Fis-tiktok-safe-for-kids%2F. But there's also a dark side of TikTok. When Abram came out from the cave, he was 10 years old. However, there is a way to help prevent that from happening to you. This is one way that too much time on TikTok may affect a child's mental health, just as too much time on the Internet can. It is not necessary and does not enhance their lives one little bit. TikTok's official age requirement is 13 years old. Restricted Mode. They arent allowed to comment, post videos, or search for users and tags. This way, they can have fun creating, socializing, and connecting. Discord requires that users be at least 13 years old, although they do not verify users' age upon signup. Two-step verification is an added layer of security thats beneficial to your child if someone else gets ahold of their password. But some, such as the skull-breaker, are really dangerous. TikTok has a poor history of data security. Fight seasonal allergies in kids. The conversations around mental health can be dangerous. "Kids who admit to depression are often met with dismissive and sarcastic reactions," she says. Youll need a TikTok account and your teens phone to complete this process from start to finish. They may also become obsessed with likes and virtual approval, which isn't healthy for their emotional well-being. TikTok is also a lot more . "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.". "As part of our commitment to safety, the wellbeing of our users is incredibly important to us. Please read our privacy policy. Alternatively, you could allow them to keep using the app through the Family Pairing feature (which we talk about below). How old should you be to use Discord? Keep an open and honest discussion about theirand yourdigital literacy and footprint.". Parents should regularly check the app to ensure the controls are still in place. This setting limits users' time in the app per day. The question Is TikTok safe for kids? keeps parents up at night. 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. Leading children's charity, incorporated by Royal Charter. A video tells others what they look like, their age, sometimes where they live and other personal information. TikTok users sign up with a phone number, an email address, or a third-party account such as Facebook and Instagram. Unfortunately, there are other ways that people can download your videos, such as screen recording, third-party apps and shortcuts, but this setting will prevent one of the most popular (and easiest) ways of downloading videos from TikTok. Ask your child to give you a demo of the app or show you their favourite account. 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. 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. However, it can be easy for children and young people to come across inappropriate content on the app. (The app is currently working to be able to monitor TikTok on iOS.) To report hateful, violent or other prohibited content on TikTok: You can report TikTok accounts, videos, comments and other improper behavior. These applications take extensive safety and privacy measures to safely allow kids to explore the online world. TikTok users under the age of 13 count as Younger Users.. The app's controls seem to be geared more toward limiting kids' access to virtual gifts that can be bought with real money, instead of giving parents regular monitoring capabilities. People can also create multiple accounts, using aliases to target others they don't like. You might be wondering, Is TikTok safe for 11-year-olds? 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. 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. TikTok offers Restricted Mode, which was designed to filter mature content for young users. However, a limited version of the app is available to those who dont meet the age requirement. Read questions that others are asking about this popular social media app in our FAQs. Or you can download TikTok, create your own account, and use the Family Pairing feature to manage your kid's TikTok settings using your phone. The good news is caring about internet safety comes with age and experience. Blocking an account may not always be enough. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Within TikToks security settings, there are three specific parental controls to help parents create a safer experience for their children. Recommended Video A section of the app that includes additional safety and privacy features is available in the U.S. for kids under 13. 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. First, connecting your account to your childs account using the feature Family Pairing gives you the ability to control some privacy settings. However, while TikTok is fun, the same elements that make TikTok a digital playground for kids also pose some serious security issues. TikTok introduced the Family Pairing mode in 2022, which lets parents link their account to their kid's account. However, you should still review the settings to ensure theyve been set up correctly. Additionally, by using apps, it's important to be aware that you are sharing personal information, and that can come with some risks. As a parent or guardian of a TikTok user, its important you make sure your child has the right privacy settings in place. 7 Safety Concerns for Parents, What Parents Need to Know About the Metaverse, Is Roblox Safe for Kids? The more likes, followers, or comments a video gets, the more validation your teen feels they are receiving. Is TikTok Safe For Kids and Teens? To make your TikTok account private, go to your profile page and select the three-dot icon in the top-right corner. But you may not want everyone, like bullies or even some family members, to be able to view your TikTok account. The next sections of this article then go over TikToks security features and settings to help users understand the app better. TikTok is required to comply with the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which limits what data companies can collect about kids under 13. What to do if you're worried about something a child has experienced online. All rights reserved. This doesnt mean you spy on their activity every day, but that you spot-check activity regularly to look for red flags. Many kids and teens who have their videos go viral are subjected toharassment, ridicule andbullying. 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. You can enable time limits and the content filter on your kid's phone and protect the settings with a passcode. Those under 16 don't have access to direct messages. Disable all of the settings to stop your account from being suggested at all, which will make it harder to find. 2022 Children's Health. Not only can you report individual accounts, but also specific videos, comments and direct messages. TikTok on its own is not safe or recommended for those under 13. The problem with Younger Users is that its not TikTok for Kids. Its TikTok with Fewer Features. Children may simply lie about their age in order to access all of TikToks fun features. With social media platforms like TikTok gaining popularity, there are valid concerns for the parents of older children. 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. Best answer: TikTok can be safe for kids 13 years and older. We respect your privacy. In addition to security issues, there are other problems with the social media app that could cause issues for your child. The best mobile apps for tweens can provide a rich world of entertainment for growing minds. TikTok offers a few ways for parents and caregivers to manage kids' accounts. Mom Warns That Her 7-Year-Old's Avatar Was Sexually Assaulted on an Online Game. Luckily, it's easy to find everyone who has looked at your profile. COPPA limits what data social media apps can collect from kids under 13. There are two main reasons why you should set up your own account on TikTok. In 2021, the Irish Data Protection Commission investigated TikTok for its user data collection methods. Using the platform can potentially expose children to predators, mature content, bullying, and data breaches. You can also search for content using topics or hashtags. Social media apps are a privilege and not a right for children. Here are some tips: Setting up a brand new TikTok account for your kid? Children can contactChildlineany time to get support themselves. Ask them to show you their favorite videos. Plus, as with any social media, we enjoy the attention we get from likes, follows, and video shares. 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. TikToks comment and messaging features are home to online harassment, cyberbullying, and predatory messaging. I'm the mom of a beautiful girl and identical twin boys. After all, why would a ten-year-old care about data security? All rights reserved. TikTok has a feature that allows two users who aren't in the same place to perform a duet. Take a look at our overview of the most trustworthy, fast, and safe VPN services. No place on the internet is entirely safe for kids, including the TikTok app. After changing to a private account, only users that you approve can follow your account and watch your videos, but existing followers are allowed to continue following you. In this section, kids can only see curated, clean videos, and aren't allowed to comment, search, or post their own videos. Social media influencers, celebrities, and brands now also have TikTok and fans can get noticed by their favorite stars if they interact with a video. Our children are living in a digital world. Young users aged 10 to 19made up 25% of TikToks users in 2021, the largest share of all age groups. For instance, proof of identity is required when verifying users applying for a Pro Account. Given the violation, thousands of parents complained, and TikTok launched increased efforts to improve privacy and security on the platform, according to Jordan. Poppy Playtime: Is This Popular Horror Game Safe for Kids? Up until recently, creating an account meant giving access to your phones clipboard even when you werent using the app. While this set-up could support child's artistic impulses, it might also cause anxiety, Jordan says. Being a kid these days is hard enough. And bypassing that section only requires entering a false birth date, so it's not perfect. Sounds: TikTok-like feature that allows users to include music with snaps. Of course, another important aspect of keeping kids safe is ensuring that the apps security tools are being used correctly by optimizing TikToks security settings. Best Apps for Kids Ages 9-12. On both phones, tap the three dots next to the user profile. This ensures that children cant change the parental controls settings once they are set. Secondly, if your teen is older or resistant to sharing an account, youll be able tokeep up with TikTok trends and TikTok challenges on your own account. Spotlight: This is another TikTok-like feature that collects snaps submitted by users into one giant feed. Allison has an impressive research background and a drive to stay on top of the latest trends in cybersecurity to help others combat cybercrime and stay safe online. In the meantime, however, you can begin educating them about internet safety and online privacy. But if you're worried about what exactly your kids are getting, you're not alone. This blocks mature content, but even with the filter on, kids using the app on their own might come across age-inappropriate videos. 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). Even though the app makers recommend that all users be older than 13, that doesn't automatically mean your teenager is ready for TikTok. It offers kids an endless stream of entertaining video, whether it involves dancing, cooking or pranks. The anxiety, social pressure and insecurity our children are feeling is only amplified by apps such as TikTok. Common Sense recommends the app for age 15+, TikTok doesn't necessarily have a perfect record, Help Kids Navigate Viral Social Media Stunts. TikTok account is set to the public by default, allowing everyone to sneak peek at what your child is posting. When you report harmful content, it is flagged by TikTok, reviewed, and then removed from TikTok completely. You can post it or save it as "private" so only you can see. If a teen reaches their limit, they have to enter a passcode to keep scrolling. Social media apps are known for harmful effects on mental health, like increased depression and anxiety, according to researchers. Instead, you can ask to follow your child. This desire to feel included is why teens often participate in challenges online. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How safe is TikTok? Not to mention anonymous users sending inappropriate messages. If you have a public account and you're over 16 years old, anyone on TikTok can access your profile and watch your videos. With older children, you can have a conversation to agree on reasonable limits as well as reasonable consequences if the rules are broken. For instance, there is always potential that your child will be exposed to age-inappropriate content like explicit lyrics, dangerous stunts or sexual content. Parents can set a passcode in the childs account to prevent them from disabling the feature. If your child sets up a false account, then their data and information can be used in accordance with TikToks terms and conditions. In an effort to address these concerns, they created Younger Users. ", Not unlike Twitter or Facebook, TikTok might lead to cyberbullying and trolling. If children delete the app and reinstall it, those controls will be gone. No, TikTok isn't safe for young users, but no social media platform is. There are privacy concerns when it comes to user data on TikTok. TikTok requires that users be at least 13 years old to use the basic TikTok features, although there is a way for younger kids to access the app. "When videos aren't funny or successful, they're referred to as 'cringey,'" Jordan explains. If that's a problem, you'll need to individually block any followers that you don't want seeing your videos. Consider adjusting the following settings: Don't like what's going on in your comment section? Heres everything you need to know about the popular video-sharing app. Each of these parental controls requires a passcode. 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. Parents can also disable their kid's search functionality and prevent other users from seeing which videos their kid has liked. Look out for things like graphic content and sexually explicit comments. There is nothing to stop predators from grooming kids. 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. The second user can then lip-synch along with the first person, either swapping back and forth or in a split screen. The user interface is simple and organized, making it easy for kids to find the videos they want to watch. 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. 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. Cookies / Read Common Sense Media's full review of TikTok, and learn more about this popular platform. Hence, your 10-year old's obsession with the TikTok app is probably one of the things you're scratching your head about. This means that not everyones For You Page is the same. As parents who havent always had unimpeded access to this technology, it can be difficult to navigate changing societal standards. While this doesnt eliminate security risks or mental health safety, its a great place to start. Users might become victims of cyberbullying. Hi, I'm Ashley Potter. If you swipe left, you'll see a more personally curated feed called "Following," featuring uploads from the people you choose to follow. TikTokis thesecond-most popular social media site among American teenagers-- and for obvious reasons. Nica is a news and tech editor at VPNOverview. There are still other ways to download videos from TikTok, especially with third-party services. However, the lack of these features makes it unappealing for most kids. TikToks limited version of the platform for those under 13 has extended privacy policies and restrictions. People of all ages use TikTok, and a lot of the videos involve lip-synching or dancing to pop hits. 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. TikTok created a Younger Users experience for kids under 13 who want to explore the social media site with less risk. First, you'll need to find the mentions and tags settings. Challenges are any idea that goes viral. If your account is set to private, no one but you can create a Duet or Stitch with your videos. Use these settings to manage it. All accounts created by 13-16-year-olds are set to private by default. 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. They also failed to notify parents of exactly how they collected children's data or allow them to ask to have that data deleted.". Chances are they wont. Teens are often more impulsive and more likely to do things online that they wouldnt normally do, especially when it comes to peer approval. Heres how to access TikToks privacy settings: Keep reading to learn more about the privacy options you can set, as well as additional features that provide more layers of protection for your teen. You can also ask about any friends they've met online and what types of videos they share. She is 10 years old. Or you can use your phone contacts or social media followers to find friends already on the app. Delivered Tuesdays and Thursdays. Nimrod was worried about losing control and tried to kill Abraham at a young age. Common Sense Media. 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. They also have restricted access to direct messages and livestreaming. Is TikTok inappropriate for kids under 10 years old? 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". If your childs account is public, this opens them up to the eyes and messages of strangers. Learn about the dangers of TikTok and how to keep your child safe by reading our article here. To learn more about online safety for your kids, read our definitive guide here. TikTok can be a kid-friendly experience if you supervise your kids, use safety settings, and stick to songs you already know. Is TikTok Safe for Kids? The platform uses algorithms to show users different video content based on their interests and other videos they watch. Kids use TikTok as a way to connect with their friends and have some creative self-expression. document.getElementById('enableRecite').addEventListener("click", function() { According to 2022 findings from Security.org, of all the social networks, kids on YouTube are the most likely to be cyberbullied at 79 percent, followed by Snapchat at 69 percent, TikTok comes in at 64 percent, and Facebook at 49 percent. }); Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH. How to start the conversation with your child about staying safe online, and what to do if you're worried about online safety. Below, we provide general pointers on how to keep kids safe on TikTok. But as kids have been continuing to hit download, parents are still wondering if it's. Talk with them about what they enjoy about the app.