Today, it is one of the most popular social media platforms among kids and teenagers.
TikTok is no longer just about the karaoke.
Now, users can post short-form videos on virtually anything; funny or serious, appropriate or inappropriate.
Most of what youll see on TikTok, at least initially, seems like harmless, goofy teenage antics.
The video-editing tools in the app are undeniably fun, and young users can get really creative with them.
Theres code language that gets past Musical.lys filters.
There are #killingstalking musical.lys, which are dark-themed (artistic?
videos showing boys putting knives to girls throats.
I saw a boy with a bleeding chest (yes, real blood).
The images are deeply upsetting.
There are #cutter and #triggerwarning and #anorexic videos.
Musers with eating disorders hashtag videos using proana (code for pro anorexia.)
I found over eleven thousand #selfhate videos.
It goes on and on.
They cant keep up, says Chris McKenna, the founder of internet safety resourceProtect Young Eyes.
Nobody can keep up with the changes.
Theyll be able to view those videos and createbut not posttheir own.
Restricted mode should limit more mature videos that arent appropriate for kids, but its not foolproof.
Common Sense Mediaactually recommends the full app for ages 16 and older, rather than 13.
For instance:
verify they enter their true birthday.
Tell them they must make their accounts private.
Tell them to use a a pseudonym display name insteadaka vidcrazy2005and not provide any personal information.
(And toggle on the hide location info in their options.)
Encourage them to tell you if they come across anything inappropriate or upsetting.
