{"id":8271,"date":"2020-02-25T10:52:55","date_gmt":"2020-02-25T10:52:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.phambano.org.za\/uncategorized\/tiktok-what-is-it-and-why-should-parents-be-cautious\/"},"modified":"2020-02-25T10:52:55","modified_gmt":"2020-02-25T10:52:55","slug":"tiktok-what-is-it-and-why-should-parents-be-cautious","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.phambano.org.za\/staging\/tiktok-what-is-it-and-why-should-parents-be-cautious\/","title":{"rendered":"TikTok – What Is It And Why Should Parents Be Cautious?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TikTok\u00a0is a social video-sharing application. It enables users to create, edit and share 60-second videos with filters, special effects and music.\u00a0Like\u00a0other social media platforms,\u00a0TikTok\u00a0allows users to comment, like and follow any content they come across on the app.\u00a0TikTok\u00a0is available for both\u00a0Android\u00a0and iOS operating systems and can be downloaded respectively on the app stores.\u00a0TikTok\u00a0is the new kid on the block and with over 1 billion users as of December 2019, it looks like it is here to stay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who can use the TikTok app<\/strong>?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

TikTok\u00a0has a large user following of people less than 25 years of age. According to their terms and conditions,\u00a0anyone between the ages of 13 and older can\u00a0sign up as a user. It is believed that the reason why the app appeals to young people is the fact that it is a platform that allows the opportunity of being creative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The youth can also build a community surrounding their passion by gaining followers and\u00a0in\u00a0this\u00a0way\u00a0they can also mingle or rather connect with people that have similar interest to them.\u00a0TikTok\u00a0also allows users to cross-post content created on the app to other social media platforms – this allows the user to have their content shared with many more people thus growing their social media following exponentially.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is the TikTok app safe?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like all social media apps there are pros and cons connected, and as the saying goes \u201ctoo much of a good thing is a bad<\/em> thing<\/em>\u201d, TikTok\u00a0is no exception to the rule. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents have expressed their concerns over the safety of the app. Many feel that the language used by other users might not be appropriate for their under-aged children.\u00a0Also,\u00a0because posts on\u00a0TikTok\u00a0can be viewed by anyone whether they\u2019re signed up or not, parents fear online stalking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to many reviews put up by parents on Common Sense Media, many complained that there are hashtags on some of the videos that contain pornographic content which is obviously very inappropriate for children\/teens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Added to the above, users can like or respond to a video, follow an account or send direct messages to each other. This holds a risk that strangers will have the option to directly contact youngsters on the application.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because children can sometimes get high up on the bubble of gaining more followers and likes, they might then be tempted to accept invites from strangers. It is imperative that all parents make sure that their children understand all<\/strong> of the dangers of using the app and how they can avoid danger and remain safe.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TikTok app safety measures<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In December 2019\u00a0TikTok\u00a0launched a new in-app feature: The Family Safety Mode. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sole purpose of this feature is to assist parents in making sure that their children are safe while using the app.\u00a0The Family Safety Mode permits: <\/p>\n\n\n\n