Most teenagers and preteens want to use TikTok, the social network with more than 500 million downloads. For many, it is one of the first reasons to want a mobile phone, writing messages to their friends and having an Instagram profile. Do you want to know this application in depth?
The TikTok application has been designed as a social network where users share edited videos. It allows them to follow their favourite profiles, indicates the videos they like and sends comments, like any other social network. As in the others, hashtags (keywords) are also used to make the videos created go viral, potentially having millions of views.
Why do you like TikTok so much?
Kids have made TikTok their own fun playground, just like they did with other apps. They love using TikTok to make videos with their favorite songs, dancing in front of the camera. They also like to make funny videos, copying voices from TV shows or playing pranks on friends and family. Sometimes, they just share their thoughts or ideas.
These videos are short, often just a few seconds, and are made using a mobile phone. Kids can add music, filters, and effects right from the app. All they need is a phone with a camera and internet to share their creations.
TikTok has cool features that make it easy for videos to go viral. For example, kids can do the same dance or challenge as others and encourage their friends to join in. There’s also a ‘duet’ feature where two or more users’ videos are combined, so they can react to each other’s videos.
Kids want to be on TikTok because their friends are there. It’s a place to interact, meet new people, and see their favorite celebrities and influencers from music, TV, and movies.
The key to getting them hooked?
We must remember that social networks are designed to be liked. Filters that make videos look attractive, an opportunity for unlimited entertainment and, above all, a mechanism to express social recognition. Each TikTok like or follower they get provides them with reinforcement, generates a feeling of satisfaction and encourages them to continue their activity on the network.
Is it appropriate for minors?
If we follow the law, the application recommends that users be at least 13 years old. However, in Australia, according to the GDPR, minors must be at least 14 years of age without parental consent to register. As in almost all social networks, it is easy to bypass this filter when creating your profile to vary your age. Therefore, adults must know whether the minor intends to use TikTok and convey the need for her permission. Rather you buy TikTok Likes easily.
These types of applications carry some risks for children and adolescents simply because they are social networks:
Privacy: Sometimes, kids don’t realize how important it is to keep their personal information safe. They might share more than they want to in their videos. Once a video is shared, anyone can see it, download it, and share it with others.
Strangers: Kids can meet and talk to new people on TikTok, but not everyone is nice. Some people might make fake profiles to trick kids.
Inappropriate Content: Sometimes, videos show things that aren’t safe or nice, like jumping over moving cars or using bad language. These videos can make kids feel like they have to do dangerous things or use bad words.
Overuse: TikTok lets kids watch videos one after another, and some kids feel like they have to post new videos every day to keep up. Making videos takes a lot of time because they need to practice, record, and edit.
Cyberbullying: On TikTok, people can leave mean comments on videos. These comments can hurt kids’ feelings and self-esteem. In the worst cases, bullies might make videos to make fun of other kids.
Good Things: But, if used responsibly, TikTok can be great! It helps kids be creative with their dances and ideas. Many people on TikTok share healthy habits like sports and music. It’s a fun place where kids can meet others who share their interests and express their feelings.
Recommendations for families
Indeed, we anticipate that they will start insisting that they would like to create a TikTok account and take some steps before downloading it. Assessing the minor’s maturity and waiting for the right moment is essential. Furthermore, it is always useful and positive for minors to promote safe Internet use habits before using this social network.
When you start using it, you must configure the application and adapt the privacy settings for the type of use you want the minor to make. First, we must consider the possibility of setting the account private so that only the people you accept as followers can see your publications, whether it is necessary to restrict comments, and whether it is preferable to avoid personalizing ads on this platform, among other options.
