Parents' Ultimate Guide to TikTok

(Modified from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/parents-ultimate-guide-to-tiktok)

We have become aware that some of our students have the app TikTok on their BYO devices. It has raised some concerns about whether or not parents are aware if their child is using TikTok and any other social media apps. Here's some information to guide your discussion with your child:  

What is TikTok?

TikTok is a social network app for sharing user-generated videos, mostly of people lip-synching to popular songs. It was originally called musical.ly (pronounced MU-zik-lee). Users can create and upload their own videos where they lip-synch, sing, dance, or just talk. They can also browse and interact with other users' content, which covers a wide range of topics, songs, and styles. These videos can be grouped by hashtags, which often correspond to challenges or memes.

As with any social network, it is important to use privacy settings to limit how much information your children are sharing. Chldren can post stuff without reviewing or editing it first. There have even been reports of online predators using the app to target younger users. In 2019, TikTok paid millions to settle with federal regulators who charged it violated children's privacy law.

Read Common Sense Media's answers to parents' most frequently asked questions below:

How safe is TikTok?

When signing up for TikTok, your account is public by default, meaning anyone can see your videos, send you direct messages, and use your location information. If you decide your children can use TikTok, parents should make sure to turn on all privacy settings for accounts, so only people they know can interact with their videos or message them on the app. That means either opting for a private account or changing the settings for comments, duets, reactions, and messages to "Friends" instead of "Everyone." You can also turn those features off completely.

How does TikTok work?

Tik Tok users sign up with a phone number, an email address, Facebook, or Instagram. Once logged in, you can search popular creators, categories (comedy, animals, sports), and hashtags to find videos. Many kids on Tik Tok like to create videos, but plenty of people don't post themselves -- they just use the app to find and follow content creators.

Is TikTok appropriate for kids?

Because of TikTok's emphasis on popular music, many videos include swearing and sexual lyrics, so it may not be age-appropriate for kids to use on their own. It's also easy to find people wearing revealing clothing and dancing suggestively, although TikTok won't let you search for objectionable content such as "sex" or "porn." In 2019,  after settling with the Federal Trade Commission for child privacy violations due to all the children under 13 on the site, the developers created a separate section of the app for kids that only allows them to access curated, clean videos. They can't comment, search, or post their own videos. However, bypassing that section only requires entering a false birthdate. 

What age is TikTok recommended for?

Common Sense recommends the app for age 15+ mainly due to the privacy issues and mature content. TikTok requires that users be at least 13 years old to use the app. Anyone under the age of 18 must have approval of a parent or guardian -- but there are plenty of young tween users. There's also the section of the app mentioned above that's meant for kids under 13 that restricts access to mature content and comments, but since entering a false birthdate is easy, it's still best for 15+.

How can you make your TikTok account private?

To make a TikTok account private, go to the profile page and select the three-dot icon in the top-right corner. Select Privacy and Safety. There, toggle the switch for "Private Account." You can also select who can send comments and direct messages. Using the "Friends" setting or turning those features off completely limits contact with strangers.

Is there any way to limit or restrict my kid's activity on TikTok?

In addition to blocked search terms, TikTok also offers Digital Wellbeing features to help limit time spent on the app and limit the appearance of inappropriate videos. To turn these features on, tap the three dots at the top right of your user profile. Then select "Digital Wellbeing" next to the icon of an umbrella. The features are automatically protected by a four-digit pass code so kids can't turn them off on their own. From there, parents can opt to turn on Screen Time Management, which limits users to two hours on the app per day, and Restricted Mode, which blocks some content. Keep in mind, Restricted Mode isn't foolproof, and even with the filter on, kids using the app on their own might come across age-inappropriate videos. As of 2020, there's a Family Safety Mode feature that lets parents link their own accounts to their kids to control time limits and Restricted Mode, and it adds direct messages as well. 

How can I monitor activity on TikTok?

Other than Restricted Mode, there's no way to filter out content on TikTok , so if parents are allowing their children to use this app, they are encouraged to share an account with kids under the age of 13. This will let you keep an eye on what your kid is viewing and posting. Parents of older kids who are more resistant to monitoring can ask about their favorite video creators and get to know their videos (with or without your kid). Also, take the time to regularly look at the most popular songs, videos, memes, and challenges.

For any more information, please email me at rebecca.casey@cg.catholic.edu.au