Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
Home
  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
  • 9 Things You No Longer See on Playgrounds
  • Benefits of Nature Play
  • Kindergarteners Need Play
  • Train Themed Playground
  • It's the Contractor's Fault
  • The World is a Kiwanis Playground
  • Is TikTok Safe for Your Kids?

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Play
  3. Games
  4. Is TikTok Safe for Your Kids?

Is TikTok Safe for Your Kids?

Games
May 04, 2021
Profile picture for user Sophie Isbell
By Sophie Isbell on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
60
Is TikTok Safe for Your Kids?

Is TikTok Safe for Your Kids?

As a parent, it can feel impossible to keep up with the latest tech trends, games, and apps your child spends time on.

The latest social media craze is an app called TikTok, and while you’ve likely heard of it, you might be unsure of exactly what it is, how it works, and more importantly if it’s safe for your kids. 

Here’s what parents should know about TikTok. 

What is TikTok?

TikTok is a video-sharing social media platform where users can make and share short videos shot on their phones. There are endless types of different content to be found on the app, from lip-syncing over popular songs and silly dances to educational videos on topics like health or politics. Users can follow each other on the app to like, share, and comment on the videos they like. 

Are there age limits on TikTok?

TikTok has a set of age requirements designed to keep younger users safe. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Users under 13 are disabled from posting videos or adding comments. 
  • For kids ages 13 to 15, accounts are set to private by default, and only friends can comment on their videos. 
  • Only users aged 16 and older can live stream and use the direct messaging feature. 
  • Only users over 18 can buy, send or receive virtual gifts. 

Although these guidelines are good in theory, and they do help to keep kids under the age of 13 from coming across inappropriate content, they can be easily bypassed simply by entering a fake birthdate upon registering for an account. 

What are the risks?

When it comes to the internet and social media, we can never be 100% our kids won’t come across harmful content. All social media platforms come with some level of risk, and TikTok is no different. Here are some of the main risks for parents to be aware of. 

  • Exposure to inappropriate content: While TikTok’s guidelines prohibit illegal or inappropriate content to be shared within the app, there aren’t designated employees monitoring the process of weeding it out. Instead, the app uses an algorithm to automatically filter explicit content. While it gets the job done most of the time, there’s always a chance that some explicit content will slip through the cracks. 
  • Communication with strangers: There are over 1.1 billion people using TikTok. Given the interactive nature of the app, contact with strangers is bound to happen. This is particularly true for public accounts, which allows communication with anyone on the app. 
  • Cyberbullying: Parents already know that social media and cyberbullying go hand in hand. TikTok is bound to attract online strangers who spread hurtful comments, and there’s no guarantee your child won’t encounter them. 

While the risks associated with TikTok shouldn’t be taken lightly, there are several ways parents can manage what their kids are exposed to on the app. TikTok offers multiple parental controls that can strengthen your child’s privacy and increase their protection while mitigating many of the risks discussed above. 

While it’s important for parents to understand these risks, they aren’t any different from any other social media platform. One of the best ways to protect your children online is by making online safety discussions a priority, and taking the time to educate them on digital boundaries and why they matter. By helping kids see that certain precautions are in their best interest, they’ll be more equipped to navigate TikTok and other social media channels with more safety and awareness. 

Add new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
About text formats

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
Profile picture for user Sophie Isbell
Sophie Isbell
Published 2 years ago
Last updated 5 months ago
60
2
min read
A- A+
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

More About Games

Child with tablet
Mar 09, 2020
Games

Tots, Teens, and Tech: Balancing Technology's Benefits and Drawbacks for Children

Noah Rue
The Best Games To Play at Summer Camp
Jul 06, 2021
Games

The Best Games To Play at Summer Camp

PGP
group of boys playing ball games in forest
Jan 12, 2021
Games

Games That Can Boost Creativity In Your Kid

Gloria Kopp
Father and Son Activities To Help Them Bond
Nov 16, 2021
Games

Father and Son Activities To Help Them Bond

PGP
5 DIY Escape Room Ideas at Home
Jun 30, 2021
Games

5 DIY Escape Room Ideas at Home

Priyanshi
Young girl activley using Virtual Reality
Mar 16, 2021
Games

How Virtual Reality Brings Fitness Back to Gamers

Nathan McKinley
Video game ratings
May 11, 2021
Games

Video game ratings: What to know before your kid starts playing

Luke Strauss
The Changing Face of Children's Entertainment
Mar 01, 2003
Games

The Changing Face of Children's Entertainment

Playground Magazine
Mar 01, 2003
Games

Argument for an Active Mind

Playground Magazine
Mar 01, 2004
Games

The Joy of Being a Kid

Playground Magazine
A new baby seat that comes with an iPad mount has some parents and experts worried that children that age are far too young to be getting screen time.
Jan 20, 2015
Games

iKids on the Playground

Jay-Beckwith
What is Play?
Jul 01, 2003
Games

What is Play?

Playground Magazine

Games Professionals

Biba
Biba
Manufacturer
More
M&P Amusement
M&P Amusement
Manufacturer
More
Starlux Games
Starlux Games
Manufacturer
More
Toviga
Toviga
Manufacturer
More
Home

Follow Us

Play and playground news and information since 2001

  • instagram
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • linkedin

Company

  • Playground Magazine
  • Contributors
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Copyright © 2001 - 2023 Playground Professionals, LLC

Footer menu

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions