We have all been there (unless it’s just me), opened a social media app, just to check in and then catch yourself an hour later still scrolling. Now with COVID-19 pandemic and stay at home orders I have found myself spending an absurd about of time on social media. Haven’t we all?
Maybe you are on top of all things social media, but I can hardly keep up with all the new apps and trends. Personally I don’t like feeling left behind on trends and unsure of what’s new and hip. It was clear to me that I was out of the loop on this new one…TikTok. In the last year TikTok has seen quite an increase in downloads and you suddenly may be fielding questions from your kids about downloading it.
I’ll admit right up front, since downloading TikTok I have spent countless hours on this new app. I think being quarantined added to it but I have found it be pretty entertaining. I’m still learning all the in and outs of this app, but I wanted to share a few things I’ve learned and help you navigate if this is the right app for your teen. TikTok tends to be where the middle-school and teen populations are hanging out, though there has been a bit of an increase in parents joining due to the quarantine and wanting to be where their kids are hanging out.
What is TikTok?
It’s a global music video based social media community that allows users to record themselves with popular songs and sounds, add effects, and share them with other users (think Snapchat with music). The basics of this platform allow the younger generation to express themselves in many different creative ways; singing, dancing, lip-syncing or comedy. The way TikTok encourages creativity is one of the sole reasons why it has taken off with the younger generation.
What You Need to Know As A Parent:
- TikTok is currently rated 13+. TikTok has really hit the nail on the head with appealing to youngsters. 41% of all users are between the ages 16-24. Through my own use of the app I have noticed there are plenty of users that are younger than 16. This can easily be done by signing up with a false birthdate. Check-in with your teen to see if they are using the app and have an open conversation about it.
- Anyone can send private messages, see videos and have access to location information. When you sign up for TikTok every account is set to public by default. If your son or daughters account is public, they could receive private messages from complete strangers. Talking with your kids about who messages them and how to safely interact online is important. Parents should make sure to have all privacy settings set to private for their kids’ accounts so only people you know can interact with your kid.
- Suggestive content is all over and easy to access even without searching for it. At first I thought there would be quite a bit of mature content, but I found the most inappropriate content was actually foul language and explicit lyrics.
- The “Following tab” is where content you choose to follow appears. But there is a more nondescript and hidden “For You” tab, where TikTok just gives you content you might like, trending and popular. You have very little control over what is included and shared in this feed. There are plenty of trends that include suggestive dances, music and behavior.
- TikTok users spend on average 52 minutes a day and this data is showing to increase in the coming months. TikTok has recognized this to be a concern so much so that they have created videos that pop up in your feed after being on the app for too long; telling you to get up, drink some water and take a break. Not only that, but research shows that 90% of all users access the app every single day. As all new social media channels, there is a level of addiction and FOMO.
- TikTok collects a LOT of user data. Be aware of the data being collected and remind your child that nothing is private online.
Update Your Child’s Settings:
To keep the account as secure as possible, we’d recommend taking the time to update certain settings in your child’s account.
- Switch your teens account to private
- Change “allow others to find me” as a privacy measure to prevent your kid to show up in search results
- Opt out of personalized data from being shared
- Change all safety settings to “friends” – only who you know can interact with your child
- Review this great information from Protect Young Eyes which goes even more in depth
Parental safety measures are important no matter the app or platform whether it is Snapchat, YouTube or the new up and comer TikTok. Take the time to understand the app, how your child is using it and make sure you have open conversations with them at the start. As with many social media apps, the pull of TikTok is to be a “TikTok Star.” Know your child and how this can impact their mental and emotional health. While the app is 13+, most of the reviews we read recommend high school usage. We hope this provides some insight as you work to make the best decision for your family and your child.
Have you been using TikTok? We’d love to hear about your experience!
-by Rachel James
