Proud to be ranked in all 10 pediatric specialties the last five years. Learn about the dangers of TikTok and how to keep your child safe by reading our article here. If they want to change their age, they will have to contact customer service and provide proof of their age at that point. Toggle the switch for Private Account. However, a limited version of the app is available to those who dont meet the age requirement. Make sure your child signs up to TikTok with the correct age All accounts created by 13-16-year-olds are set to private by default. While it was established that TikTok doesnt use data any differently than other media platforms, they are not innocent. 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. Common Sense recommends the app for age 15+ mainly due to the privacy issues and mature content. 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). The most popular social media apps are always changing, and it can be a challenge for parents to keep up. Users can browse different videos on TikTok via a personalised feed known as the For You Page. Weve put together a comprehensive guide to help you determine the best course of action for your childs TikTok use. She herself did this with her tween son and they skipped past inappropriate posts and discussed why sharing certain content on the platform isn't wise. They also talked about how screenshots and screen recording tech can mean something seemingly impermanent might become a meme that haunts you. 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. TikTok offers Restricted Mode, which was designed to filter mature content for young 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. Here are 11 settings that can help protect from unwanted followers, harmful comments and violent videos on TikTok. TikTok is no exception to this trend. (If you choose Family Pairing, you'll need your kid's phone to sync the settings.). Another feature that you and your child should know is how to report and block harmful content, comments, or users. Additionally, by using apps, it's important to be aware that you are sharing personal information, and that can come with some risks. First, connecting your account to your childs account using the feature Family Pairing gives you the ability to control some privacy settings. Cookies / 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. Yes, tiktok is easy to use for year olds. 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. Your child selects what other method they would like to use to verify their account when you log in from either a text, email, or password. Restricted Mode filters out mature content that isnt suitable for younger audiences. Is TikTok safe for 11 year olds? 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. 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 TikTok Safe for Kids? Challenges are any idea that goes viral. RELATED: Online Gaming Playdates Are a Perfect Window Into How Our Kids Handle Conflict. TikTok is safe for 12-years olds, but only the curated version for users under the age of 13. However, the lack of these features makes it unappealing for most kids. According to the terms of service, you have to be 13, but there's no age-verification process, so it's very easy for kids under 13 to sign up. Learn why it's important to be aware of your child's online activities and how to encourageonline safety in the digital age. No, the full version of TikTok requires users to be at least 13 years of age. TikTok has a feature that allows two users who aren't in the same place to perform a duet. The following is what TikTok collects about its users on both the regular app and the Younger Users version, according to the companys privacy policy. TikTok has a poor history of data security. 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. They also failed to notify parents of exactly how they collected children's data or allow them to ask to have that data deleted.". Ask your child to give you a demo of the app or show you their favourite account. 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. So, your child could come across swearing, scantily clad adults, and suggestive dancing.. For example, they only recently fixed a bug that allowed the app to access users' clipboards (where things you copy and paste are stored) every three seconds, even when they weren't using the app. These questions should be out of legitimate interest and not to pry into your child's privacy unless, of course, you have reason for concern. These options range from using a limited version of the app to just keeping an eye on the content their children are consuming. Fellowship and Subspecialty Training Programs, Child Life and Music Therapy Training Opportunities, Pediatric Clinical Trials & Experimental Medication, Resources for Transgender Youth and Their Families. If you want to stop a certain account from being able to see your profile, you can block them -- whether they're harassing or stalking you, or for any reason you like. On TikTok, you can react to other videos by either inserting yourself into their videos or using their videos in your own. Hence, your 10-year old's obsession with the TikTok app is probably one of the things you're scratching your head about. It's easy to encounter inappropriate content. "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. Being a kid these days is hard enough. In general, there are better social media alternatives for 10-year-olds. Is TikTok Safe for Kids? If you. 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). Parents and caregivers can also use Restricted Mode to reduce mature content, or Family Safety Mode to pair their account with their kid's account to control settings completely. Then select "Digital Wellbeing" next to the icon of an umbrella. 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 you have any concerns at all about a childs safety or wellbeing, dont hesitate to contact us. Lastly, some children may turn to social media apps like TikTok because they are seeking affirmation or praise online. "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). ", 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. When setting limits and rules, ensure your child knows there will be no negative consequences if they come to you with safety concerns. TikTok was the most downloaded social media app in the world in 2020. Kids will need to accept their parents' request to connect the accounts. 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. Where there is social media, theres inappropriate content. However, there is a way to help prevent that from happening to you. They care little about age, circumstance, or the well-being of others. 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!" TikTok is also a lot more . 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. 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.". With 3 billion downloads to date, TikTok is currently the hottest social media site for tweens and teens. Below, we provide general pointers on how to keep kids safe on TikTok. As long as someone knows your TikTok username, they can tag you in other videos or mention you in comments. First, find the account you want to block and go to their profile. The default is referred to as "For You," which is an algorithmically generated stream of videos similar to Instagram's Explore page, Wired explains. 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). 2. How to set up TikTok's parental controls: The most important piece of information in TikTok is the user's birthday. Offer to hold the camera or turn it around to do a selfie duet. This way, youll see what theyre posting, who they interact with, and what videos they like. 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. It's the former public feed that's particularly problematic, Jordan notes. You will also notice if a dangerous challenge is trending, like the #tidepodchallenge that was devastatingly fatal for some teens. Under Digital Wellbeing, youll also see Restricted Mode. In her free time, she enjoys traveling within the states to kayak, camp, and hike. If a teen reaches their limit, they have to enter a passcode to keep scrolling. Children of all ages utilize the platform for entertainment and communication and to gain a social following. Your information is safe and you can easily unsubscribe at any time. Your child's safety is the most important thing. The app is designed for adults, and there are a lot of other good social media apps designed specifically for younger users, like PopJam. TikTok also offers some tools for parents and caregivers to limit how much time kids spend on the app and what kids can see. Parents want to keep their kids safe not only at school, in the playground, and at home but online too. Everything Parents Need to Know About the Popular App Game, A Parents' Guide to the Best Streaming Services for Families, Son Dancing With Unsuspecting Mom While She Exercises Is Our Favorite Thing on TikTok Right Now, The History of Creepy Dolls and Kids Who Love Them, Instagram Announces New Parental Supervision Tools and 'Family Center' Safety Hub, Life Skills to Teach Your Child by Age 10, teen girls developing severe physical tics, Online Gaming Playdates Are a Perfect Window Into How Our Kids Handle Conflict, Types of Bullying Parents Should Know About, Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), The Parents Guide to Getting Their First Phoneand Teaching Them to Be Good Digital Citizens. To learn more about online safety for your kids, read our definitive guide here. 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. Common Sense rates Instagram for age 15 and up because of mature content, access to strangers, marketing ploys, and data collection. 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. And bypassing that section only requires entering a false birth date, so it's not perfect. But if you're worried about what exactly your kids are getting, you're not alone. The private message and comment features also allow potential predators to connect with your child while posing as a younger kid. Need the fast version? }); 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. 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. The presence of cyberbullies, predators, and inappropriate content makes the platform a dangerous place. A wise man of Nimrod came and told him that a seed of Abraham will kill kings and inherited many lands. TikTokis thesecond-most popular social media site among American teenagers-- and for obvious reasons. However, exposure to age-inappropriate material can still occur, and parental supervision is recommended. Keep in mind that even older teenagers are still developing self-regulation, so they still could post things on TikTok they later regret. Kids on TikTok often want their videos to be liked, and this makes them vulnerable to safety threats on TikTok, like sexual exploitation. As a parent or guardian of a TikTok user, its important you make sure your child has the right privacy settings in place. It's not all fun, games, and lip-sync videos, after all. There is nothing to stop predators from grooming kids. Best answer: TikTok can be safe for kids 13 years and older. A section of the app that includes additional safety and privacy features is available in the U.S. for kids under 13. Youll need a TikTok account and your teens phone to complete this process from start to finish. If you're worried about something a child or young person may have experienced online, you can contact the NSPCC helpline for free support and advice. Using the Friends setting or turning those features off completely limits contact with strangers. Heres what we suggest you explore and pay attention to in the app: Family Pairing doesnt allow you to monitor your childs activity. People online can be ruthless because they can speak freely and without consequence. Using the platform can potentially expose children to predators, mature content, bullying, and data breaches. 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. The solution isn't getting rid of the app, because there will always be another one. "I'm so hurt. Social Media. If you have a public account and you're over 16 years old, anyone on TikTok can access your profile and watch your videos. Should I be concerned about TikTok's security? Not to mention anonymous users sending inappropriate messages. Fight seasonal allergies in kids. Age-inappropriate content one might see on TikTok include harsh language or curse words in song lyrics, suggestive dancing or clothing choices, or offensive or hurtful comments on videos. It offers kids an endless stream of entertaining video, whether it involves dancing, cooking or pranks. Our children are living in a digital world. Have a conversation about what limits should be set on TikTok use, such as what kind of videos are okay to post and how often they can use it. Mom Warns That Her 7-Year-Old's Avatar Was Sexually Assaulted on an Online Game. loadService(); I'd be less worried about the content and more the affect it has on their mental health, take it from 19 year old whos pretty socially active. These applications take extensive safety and privacy measures to safely allow kids to explore the online world. He was sent to live with Noah and his son Shem, and he remained with them to . Parents can set a passcode in the childs account to prevent them from disabling the feature. Teens are often more impulsive and more likely to do things online that they wouldnt normally do, especially when it comes to peer approval. What to do if you're worried about something a child has experienced online. Take, for example, the Cinnamon Challenge, the Choking Game, and the Kiki Challenge. It's a chance for your content to be seen around the world. )For many users, widespread exposure is the attraction of TikTok. Abram went to hide in a cave and remain until it was safe (Jasher 8:36). 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. 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. Family Pairing connects your TikTok account to your childs account through a QR code. "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. ParentsWonder.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If it sounds like TikTok is fertile ground for a lot of fun and a good deal of trouble, that's because it is. To stop others from viewing your following list or liked videos, go go toProfile>three-dash menu>Settings and privacy>Privacyand then: Just because you follow accounts and like videos doesn't mean the whole world needs to know it. Mental incapability in comprehending negative comments and cyber-stalking are horrific things that could affect your child's state of mind. Ask them to show you their favorite videos. 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. Alternatively, you could allow them to keep using the app through the Family Pairing feature (which we talk about below). This setting limits users' time in the app per day. The conversations around mental health can be dangerous. The caveat is that the kid-friendly version isnt commonly utilized. So, what is it exactly that kids and teens love about TikTok? To turn on Restricted Mode, set a 4-digit passcode. Inappropriate content can affect your child's brain and thinking ability. Guides and resources for parents. 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. Sitemap / Sounds: TikTok-like feature that allows users to include music with snaps. 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. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). 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) { On the contrary, the FixAppRatings movement suggests that the kid must be over the age of 17 to use TikTok. First, you'll need to find the mentions and tags settings. Only friends can comment on videos, and other users can't duet (explained below) with your videos. (The app is currently working to be able to monitor TikTok on iOS.) While it may seem like TikTok came out of nowhere, the app actually began in 2014 as a lip-synching site called Musical.ly. Best Apps for Kids Ages 9-12. Not only can you report individual accounts, but also specific videos, comments and direct messages. If they do, parents can set up a number of limitations, such as disabling the direct message option and setting daily time limits. Charley is a mother of three with a passion for raising good humans. Hi, I'm Ashley Potter. You can enable time limits and the content filter on your kid's phone and protect the settings with a passcode. Keep reading to learn more about the dangers, social expectations, and consequences of using this platform at a young age. 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. It's also important to remember that the app is meant for kids who are 13 or older. Odds are theyll already know about some of the problems with social media and will be fine to make sure privacy settings are set correctly. But there's also a dark side of TikTok. Here's why: 1. This allows full access to mature content such as sexually explicit themes, drug-related activities, and violence. Other tools that offer parental controls and monitoring services include Secure Teen and Norton Family Premier.