Do I need to delete my child's TikTok? Setting up parental controls

TikTok is an application (social network) for viewing, creating, and publishing short videos: the maximum duration of a video is from 10 seconds to 3 minutes. Amnesty International research showed that out of 5-6 hours spent on TikTok from a teenager's account, every second video was related to mental health and was potentially harmful to the child. So how to protect your child and should you delete the app?

TikTok age restrictions:

• Children under 13 can use the network, but without a profile (which is dangerous), or by deceiving and indicating a different age, for example, 18 years old. If TikTok decides that the account owner is not yet 13 years old, it will block him or this account.
• 13-15 years old: All accounts are automatically set to private. Users can create their own videos, but only friends can see them. Messages cannot be sent or received.
• 16-17 years old: All accounts are automatically made public. Users can go live, send and receive messages. Cannot buy, send or receive online gifts.

Important: Do not allow children to view TikTok from your account. Remember that your profile for the system is an adult, the content is 18+.

What are the advantages of using social media?

If used responsibly, social media can be a great tool for children: it helps them connect with friends and family, especially if they live far apart, provides access to a variety of educational content, and allows them to express their creativity through art, videos, and more.

What are the threats from using social media?

A growing body of research shows that smartphone and social media use can exacerbate mental health disorders (including depression)), and harmful behavior in children. In addition, do not forget about cyberbullying, age-inappropriate content, privacy, online sexual threats (sexting, online grooming, sextortion), excessive time online, etc.

Source: freepikview

What can I do to protect my child on TikTok?

• Make your child's profile private.
• Set content restrictions if you notice inappropriate content in your child's feed.
• Explain to your child how to report videos, delete unwanted comments, and block profiles they don't like.
• And most importantly, establish a trusting relationship with your child. If something upsets or scares them on social media, they can turn to you for advice.

How to set up parental controls on TikTok?

To enable the feature, go to “Settings” in the TikTok app and tap “Family Pairing.” In addition to controlling content, you can set how much time your child can spend on TikTok each day. More detailed instructions can be found in the special guides for parents by the NGO #stop_sexting: “Child profile, settings” and “TikTok: rules of conduct on the social network”. 

Recall that last week the US House of Representatives voted to ban TikTok in the country.. The bill requires the owner of the social network, the Chinese concern BitDance, to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese company within 9 months, otherwise it will lead to a ban on the application in the United States. Currently, the social network is used by almost half of Americans, and congressmen want to ban it because China illegally collects personal data of users through TikTok. If the Senate passes the bill, the company promises to fight in the courts. 

Source: freepikview

Where can I get help with online risks for children?

1. Government advice line for child safety online 1545 (3). You can contact the line anonymously, 24/7, and for free.

2. Psychological support line on online risks. Works for children who have been affected by online risks. Parents whose children are victims of online abuse can also seek help.

3.Chatbot #stop_sexting. The bot can help you with signs, causes, consequences, procedures, and warnings about various risks for your child on the Internet. Search for @online_kids_bot in Telegram (https://t.me/online_kids_bot) for parents, older siblings, and professionals working with children.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

About #stop_sexting:

#stop_sexting – Ukraine’s leading non-governmental organization on child protection online. Received the UN Global Compact Award and has trained more than 900 children and parents. As part of the information campaign, it touched millions of Ukrainian families, and also created the country's first consultation line on child safety on the Internet 1545 (hereinafter 3) and a psychological support line for children and parents on the topic of online risks on site.