5 things parents should know if their children use TikTok
TikTok has had a growing impact on children over the past few years. While some may believe TikTok to be nothing more than a social media app, it has become much more than that for children. For many young people, TikTok is a source of entertainment and creativity, where they can use their imagination and share videos with friends.
The platform has also opened up new avenues for expression, allowing them to showcase their talents in dance, music and art. Yet, TikTok has its own share of dangers, with offensive content and instances of online bullying being two of the main issues. Thus, it is important for parents to monitor their child's usage of TikTok and ensure that they are staying safe online.
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Is TikTok safe for your children?
TikTok has been under scrutiny due to its detrimental content. The app has become a hub for numerous viral challenges that are often unsafe and harmful. These challenges range from ingesting drugs and dangerous chemicals to physically harming oneself or others.
Additionally, TikTok influencers also promote unrealistic body standards, which can lead to body shaming and mental health issues among young adults. The app's algorithm also promotes videos with sexually explicit content, violence, and hate speech.
This not only desensitizes users to such content but also normalizes it as acceptable behavior. Parents must monitor their child's use of this app and ensure they have an open dialogue about the dangers of consuming harmful content online.
5 things parents need to know
1. Although users cannot post, like, or share anything until they have created an account on the app, they may view all the information when the app is downloaded.
2. All accounts are public by default, allowing anybody with access to the app to see anything your child shares. But only followers who have been approved can message them.
3. There is a chance that strangers will be able to directly contact the child on the app due to the fact that users can like or reply to videos, follow accounts, and send messages to one another.
4. It's vital to talk to children about what they post and with whom since they could feel pressured to take risks in order to gain more followers or likes on a video.
5. Want your account to be deleted? Go to Me>Tap ..., located on the top right corner>Tap Manage account > Delete account.
