What is TikTok?
TikTok is a creative social media app that became available worldwide in 2018. It is mostly used for creating and watching short video clips (up to 10 minutes, but usually much shorter), however the app also contains live streaming videos. Its popularity is constantly on the rise, especially among teenagers: in 2021, TikTok passed 1 billion users to become one of the most popular social media apps.
Similar to other social media apps such as Instagram, TikTok can be used not only to passively view the content created by others, but also to actively create one’s own. Producing creative videos on TikTok is relatively easy. Users can, for instance, download multiple short videos into the app, select their preferred music as a background and let the app synchronize the clips to the song’s rhythm. Effective “transitions” are also very trendy on TikTok, motivating many of the app’s users to learn the basics of video editing in order to achieve a desired effect. Overall, TikTok can be a great place for developing one’s creativity, but it is certainly advised that you keep an eye on what your children share, and set up boundaries regarding the content they should and shouldn’t post. Your child may also keep their profile private so that they can experiment with the creative options of TikTok while keeping their privacy intact.
TikTok is also full of tips regarding other creative activities such as photography, painting, drawing or playing instruments. According to Eduloco, the app can even benefit children’s sense of discipline. When trying to execute a TikTok video perfectly, children have to be focused and strongminded: “It takes a great amount of effort and determination – qualities that [children] can apply to other areas and aspects of [their] lives such as homework, assignments, hobbies, and other passions or interests,” Eduloco’s article suggests.
Read more: Debunking common worries about children and technology
If your children want to search for useful information in an entertaining format, TikTok may be the place to go. The app can be used to look for easy recipes, creative tips or even educational content. There are many accounts focusing of education, which can provide children with easy answers to school-related questions. Of course, it is advisable that you encourage your child to take the info they obtain on TikTok with a grain of salt, and verify everything by other, more relatable sources. It is not enough to research only on TikTok.
Searching for educational videos can even make TikTok more beneficial for your child in the long run. Psychologist Jarmila Tomková explains that parents can search for educational content together with their children, discuss the videos they watch, and give the kids a chance to talk about their preferences. She also adds: “In the process of getting to know educational profiles, you not only learn and spend time together with your child, but you also ‘program’ the app and tell TikTok what it should offer to your children.” Most commonly, TikTok users spend their time on the app scrolling their “For You Page,” which contains videos that are either highly popular or suggested by the app to the particular user. If you search for educational content with your child, it may result in the app offering less dancing and gaming videos, and more school-related clips.
Read more: A closer look at TikTok’s digital security
Like many other social media apps, TikTok can be used to find new friends or discover communities of people with similar interests. The chance of meeting new friends on TikTok can be especially beneficial to queer children or children with disabilities, as TikTok can show them they are not alone and that there are other people dealing with similar situations. Additionally, TikTok can enhance your child’s confidence – through the positive content they can consume or through their own creative posts and responses to them. Building their self-confidence can make it easier for kids to approach new people in real life, and turning these acquaintances into friendships.
TikTok users can communicate via comments or direct messages, but in order to do so, they must be over 13. As with other platforms, keep an eye out for predators or cyberbullies. TikTok enables users to send only text messages or emojis, as such, online abusers cannot reach your children with inappropriate photos or videos. Still, talk to your child about online safety and discourage them from sharing any personal information online. Make sure that they know they can talk to you when they feel uncomfortable on the app, so that you can help them solve any problems that may arise.
Read more: Friendly to scary. How the behavior of online predators progresses
On TikTok, children may encounter people of different racial and cultural backgrounds, various ages, or life experiences. Such encounters help them understand the situation of others better, and it may even benefit their education. There are many senior users of the app who use TikTok to engage with the world and share their experience with their younger audience – and many of them are highly popular among teenagers. For instance, 98-year-old Lily Ebert, a holocaust survivor, uses her account to teach her followers about the realities of World War II. Some users also employ TikTok to educate others about Black history, racism, or the experience of slavery in America. According to Jarmila Tomková, parents can introduce some of these influencers to their children, talk about what their kids find interesting, shocking or amusing and support the parent-child relationship by using TikTok together.
TikTok can be easily used to search for fun physical activities or athletic advice, and popular TikTok dances may encourage your child to acquire new dancing skills and get them on their feet by participating in the trend. In this aspect, the app can actually benefit your children’s physical health. As for mental health, TikTok can be a great place for finding inspiration, learning new things – or just rewind. Your child may find specific content that calms their mind and search for it when they need to find peace – be it cute puppy videos, satisfying ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) videos, or clips capturing other peoples’ athletic or artistic skills. It is, however, always necessary to maintain a healthy boundary between the world offline and online, and to avoid endless scrolling, to look out for any signs of FOMO (fear of missing out), and also to find offline activities that are calming as opposed to encouraging children to always reach for their phone when they need to relax.
Read more: 5 tips for combating FOMO
If you want to make sure your child stays safe online, be aware of their activity and set up healthy limits. ESET Parental Control solution can help you in maintaining your child’s online security.
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