TikTok recently launched a Family Safety Toolkit that parents can use to guide their children when using the digital platform. This guide contains 10 tips that can protect children while playing TikTok while making them smarter on the internet.
This tool aims to create a safe and comfortable platform for all users. This tool kit is also a complement to the series of security features that have been launched by TikTok.
TikTok Warns Users before Sharing Content
Here are 10 digital parenting tips for parents to protect their teens while playing TikTok taken from the TikTok Family Safety Toolkit:
1. Check Children’s Technology Readiness
Parents must determine when children can be active in the digital world, including owning their own devices and creating social media accounts. TikTok currently enforces an age limit of 14 years and above. This means that children under the age of 14 cannot create their own TikTok account.
2. Agree to Family Technology Limitations
Parents must set limits on when and where children can access their digital devices. In addition, parents must also limit the types of content that teens can watch or play.
Of course, all of these limitations must be discussed together and adapted to the child’s age. If this rule is violated, parents can determine clear and appropriate consequences.
3. Smart Screen Time Limit Rules
As parents, of course, they don’t want their kids addicted to gadgets. By setting screen time limits, parents can take care of their children’s mental and physical health and help them develop self-control and time management.
To limit the screen time and type of content viewed, parents can use the Family Engagement or Family Pairing features. This feature will link the parent's TikTok account with the child's account and make it easier for the parent to control the security on the child's account.
4. Talk About Cyber Bullying
There should be a clear line of communication between parents and children so that children can trust when they experience cyberbullying. If parents feel that their teen is being bullied cyber, encourage them to speak up and take responsibility for their behavior.
TikTok also has a feature that can protect users from cyberbullying, namely by controlling the comments section. Currently only users 16 and older can receive comments below the content.
These comments can be set whether they can be given by all users, only followers, or not at all. Users can also block certain words from appearing in the comments field.
5. Talk About Privacy
Parents must teach children to always be mindful of the content and information they share on social media. Children need to understand what a digital footprint is and what cybersecurity threats such as hacking and social engineering are if they share personal information excessively.
Parents can protect their children's privacy more strictly by making their TikTok account private through security settings. At this time, accounts belonging to users aged 14 and 15 will be automatically converted to private.
6. Talk about Risky Contacts and Content
Risky content and relationships always haunt social media. Children should understand that they will find content that is inappropriate for teenagers and strangers.
Parents should proactively talk to their children about the risks of accepting friend requests from strangers. Children should also be reminded of the risks of meeting strangers in the real world.
If you find content and users that violate the community affiliation, TikTok encourages parents and users to report it immediately.
7. Talk about sexting
Adolescents may not understand the dangers of sharing intimate or graphic content. It is the responsibility of parents to explain to children that sharing content like this has serious and long-term consequences.
So that children do not share or receive explicit content on TikTok, parents can help by setting a direct order or DM option. Currently only TikTok users aged 16 and above can use the DM feature.
If they find a suspicious follower or account, the child can block the account from interacting with them again. TikTok also does not allow sending pictures via DM to prevent sexual exploitation.
8. Talking about Wrong Information
False information or deception spreads quickly on social media. Parents must teach children to think critically when viewing viral content on social media, for example by finding sources of information.
TikTok has a network of ‘Be Informed’ videos that parents and children can use to think critically when using information on social media and other digital platforms.
9. Connect to the Support Network
Children must have a network of reliable support and protection when using social media. Not just from parents but also family members, friends and other teachers at the school.
If your child follows an account or has followers that make them nervous, they can stop following or block the intended account.
10. Create a Video Together
One of the easiest ways to engage your child on social media is by creating fun content together. With this, parents will understand how the app works as well as teach children about what content is appropriate and inappropriate to create.
TikTok has several features that allow users to create videos with other users, such as Duet and Stitch which are available for users over 16 years old. Kids also have control to choose who can make a duet video with them or respond to their content.
Tags
TIPS & TRICKS
