TikTok divides generations. Parents throw up their hands just hearing the name of the app. Children and young people can hardly wait to watch the next video or upload it themselves. The problem: Even minors can easily download the app and view all the content despite the age restriction. Even posts that are not child-friendly, unfiltered and, above all, unverifiable are shared there in a matter of seconds and can cause fear and uncertainty, especially among younger people.

Especially at a time when, for example, countless fake videos about the war in Ukraine are flickering across the screen. Security expert Ildikó Bruhns from Safer Kids Online tells parents what dangers lurk on TikTok and what options there are to curb inappropriate content for kids and young people.

TikTok: Lots of fun, but also risks

“I’m just looking!” That’s probably what mothers and fathers hear most from their children when it comes to TikTok. But that is no reason for parents to breathe a sigh of relief. Hardly any adolescents don't have the short video app on their smartphone, especially 12 to 19 year olds. Funny karaoke and dance videos, creative recipe ideas and participatory content, such as the so-called “challenges”, make TikTok so fascinating. Users can not only upload or simply watch videos, but also comment on posts and send private messages.

This makes TikTok a social network, with all the risks that can also be found on Facebook, Instagram & Co. In this respect, it is less surprising that, as with other platforms, hate speech and bullying have found their way into the otherwise often colorful, cheerful world of TikTok. In addition, criminals try to approach young people via fake profiles and sexually harass them - keyword cybergrooming.

Fake videos, dangerous challenges and addictive potential worry parents

TikTok has around a billion users worldwide. According to the company, around 11 million use the platform in Germany. Almost one in eight people, especially young people, are partially defenseless against fake videos, false news and questionable political content. “The problem is that kids and young people get information not only from us adults, but also via social networks like TikTok. Parents quickly lose track of which videos their children are watching,” says Ildikó Bruhns, project manager and security expert at Safer Kids Online.

“Above all, the tests of courage are not always just harmless or funny. If kids and teenagers suddenly get the idea of ​​eating washing powder pods - like in the “Pod Challenge” or scaring cows, the game can quickly become very serious. Likewise, the addictive potential of the short video app should not be underestimated,” adds the security expert. Young people in particular love this form of pastime. A data leak on TikTok showed that two thirds of its users are under 25 years old. And once you get a taste for it, an hour goes by quickly. Many people often use TikTok for several hours a day.

Tips for low-risk video enjoyment

  1. The good news is: TikTok itself provides a few useful solutions to these problems. In the settings, parents will find some functions to get age-appropriate and inappropriate content under control. But there are also other ways to get TikTok regulated:
  2. Familiarize yourself with the app: Parents should know what they are talking about when they want to agree rules with their children. It's best to discover the TikTok world together.
  3. Banning it doesn't help: Parents would do well to talk to their child about why they really want to use the app. In this way, possible risks can also be discussed together.
  4. Make your account private: This means that only TikTok users approved by the child can see their videos. The corresponding setting is hidden behind “Profile picture/Hamburger menu/Data protection”.
  5. Children should be data stingy: The child's profile picture should not be recognizable. Address, telephone number and real name have no place on TikTok. By the way, revealing so little about yourself applies to all social networks and the entire Internet.
  6. Only network with real friends: This way, the kids create less “attack surface” from outside and protect themselves more from bullying, hate speech and sexual advances.
  7. Keep an eye on the TikTok newsroom Here parents can find out the latest about the hottest trends of the moment, including challenges.
  8. React appropriately: If children are interested in a dangerous test of courage, parents should remain calm and rational so as not to provoke a “now especially” effect.
  9. Do not comment on or forward dangerous content: This only increases attention and prevents these things from falling into disuse.
  10. Improve data protection and privacy: Under the “Data protection” tab (Profile/Settings/Privacy) there are further options, for example, deactivating functions completely or switching on comment filters in order to screen out content from the outset using keywords.
  11. The “accompanied mode”: One of the most important tools for using TikTok safely. To do this, the app must be installed on the parents' and children's smartphones. The function can be found in the “Digital Wellbeing” settings under “Privacy and Settings”. The mode must first be switched on on the adult's smartphone, then follow the same steps on the child's cell phone. Then just briefly connect the two accounts via QR code. Parents can then work with the children to determine usage times and contact options and filter content according to age.
  12. Talk about TikTok: Especially in times of the Ukraine war, it is important to regularly talk to your child about what they have seen throughout the day (not just on TikTok). Parents should pay attention to warning signs if their child's behavior changes. Fact checkers like mimikama.org or correctiv.org/faktencheck help to distinguish fake news from real reports.
  13. Follow TikTok's safety center Young people and parents alike can find information about risks and dangers there.

Further important tips about TikTok and how to use the internet, smartphone and social media safely can be found on the platform www.saferkidsonline.de .

In line with this topic

TikTok spreads masses of fake news about the Ukraine war

Young Ukrainian women show the current situation on TikTok

Murders, child porn and more! Ex-moderators sue TikTok

TikTok challenges as a challenge

Why do young people put violent videos online?


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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )