TIKTOK FOR PARENTS
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Why is TikTok so popular with teens and twentysomethings?
As well as letting them find community and identity through hashtags, interactive challenges and personalised For You page suggestions, TikTok’s short videos offer a library of cool things to learn and do.
All your questions answered about your teen’s favourite app
What’s involved in posting?
Easy-to-use tools mean teenagers can quickly show off something they’ve made, and anyone with a public account can have a viral hit. It’s also where celebrities share more informal content – so if you use a popular sound or piece of music, you could end up being seen by a favourite star.
Who can see what my teen is posting?
TikTok use is restricted to over-13s. Under-16s’ accounts are automatically set to private and do not show up in suggested account searches. For additional support, parents and caregivers can use Family Pairing to link their TikTok account to their teen’s so they can set content and privacy settings together.
How else can I be sure that my teen is safe?
Talking things through with your teenager is a great way to help them learn healthy digital boundaries while setting their creativity free. You can find loads of information at TikTok’s Safety Centre, and for anything you see that breaks community guidelines, the in-app reporting feature is easy and responsive.
Is my teen on TikTok too much?
You can help them manage their time with digital wellbeing features such as Screen Time Management, which is managed by a passcode you set. And if you talk through what you’ve seen on your accounts, you can make sure they always know you’re interested, and that they can come to you to share.
What do you like about TikTok?
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing some of your funniest, raw moments and that’s what makes it so good.
Do your parents use it?
Yes, my mum loves it. She always messages me about new ideas. She’s very much with it and she’s been in some of my videos!
Why is comedy so popular?
People go on TikTok to have a break and make their day a bit easier. It’s like a little escape where you can have a laugh. I adore @karenhausman, @maddiegracejepson, and @_andrewcurtiss, and I get a lot of recommendations from my For You page.
Can you learn anything from it?
TikTok has educated me a lot on what’s happening around the world. Every single community has a voice, and what’s good is you don’t have to have many followers to have a video go viral.
How can I help my teen deal with negativity?
Remember that it’s usually someone trying to get likes and comments to validate however they’re feeling. If people send any regular hate, you can just block out a word and they’re unable to comment – it’s one of my favourite features.
Does your massive following ever worry you?
TikTok really feels like a safe space because I’m able to express however I’m feeling and know there’s not going to be judgement. There’s so much love, support and celebration.
THE AGONY
NEPHEW
@kyronhamilton, 24, Southampton
Kyron got into TikTok during the first lockdown, and his comedy sketches have earned him 1.3million followers
For further information on
TikTok’s safety features, click below
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