Her 8-year-old daughter was playing with an 11-year-old friend and asked if she could borrow Cuthbertson’s phone. Limit the people who can access your child’s videosīy default, when you open a TikTok account it’s set to “public.” Tricia Cuthbertson of Jersey City, NJ saw firsthand how dangerous that can be. She points out that hashtags change frequently, and creative spelling can help people bypass filters.įor kids under age 13, there’s a version of TikTok where they can create videos but not post them, and they can view only videos deemed appropriate for children. You can filter out spam, offensive comments, and specific keywords, and block accounts, but Elgersma doesn’t think the filters catch everything. TikTok's Digital Wellbeing feature gives parents the option to put limits on screentime and filter out inappropriate content. She has also seen hashtags linked to dangerous behaviors like self-harm and cutting. “But I have seen things I would not want my 9-year-old daughter to see,” she says.

Elgersma says she’s heard reports of nudity but hasn’t come across any herself. So, your child could come across swearing, scantily clad adults, and suggestive dancing. People of all ages use TikTok, and a lot of the videos involve lip-synching or dancing to pop hits. Some of the stuff she’s produced is pretty impressive - it’s a real creative outlet for her.”Ī BETTER WAY Fortnite: What parents need to know Watch out for inappropriate content Her favorite thing to do is create videos with her American Girl dolls. Sareh Baca of Atlanta says TikTok has become a big part of her 11-year-old daughter’s life. She can create funny, humorous scenarios and express herself with song,” she says.Īnd TikTok’s editing features make it easy for kids to create professional-looking videos. “She loves to edit videos and lip sync, and this app allows her to do what she enjoys.

Vivian Manning-Schaffel of New York City has a 12-year-old daughter she says is “obsessed” with TikTok. Some videos are lighthearted and cute, and can be a source of creativity for kids,” says Christine Elgersma, senior editor of parent education at Common Sense Media. Kids like to get together with friends to make TikTok videos. A BETTER Way Are you living in a social media bubble? Here's how to burst it TikTok can be a creative, social outlet

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