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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhilst TikTok is used by an array of different people, it is predominantly used by Gen Z and Gen Alpha. In March 2024 it was found that in the UK alone, 76%<\/a> of online users aged between 15 – 24 years old regularly engaged with the app, spending approximately 30 hours per month<\/a> on it. In comparison, users aged 25 – 34 years old spent approximately 17 hours per month on TikTok, highlighting its significant popularity amongst younger people.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n As mentioned above, TikTok is incredibly popular amongst young people. An Ofcom report found that TikTok was the third most used platform<\/a> amongst children, with half of children aged 3 – 17 years using the platform in 2021. Whilst TikTok does have a minimum age requirement of 13, in 2022 Ofcom highlighted the rise of \u2018TikTots\u2019<\/a>, children as young as 5 who were defying age restrictions and\/or creating secret profiles without their parents’ knowledge.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both Gen Z and Gen Alpha are viewed as \u2018digital natives\u2019 as, unlike previous generations, they have never known a world without the internet. As such, the internet and by extension social media, has greatly influenced their upbringing and their reliance on technology and mobile devices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The vast reach of the app, its popularity and the wide variety of content that it provides, can make it difficult for parents and guardians to monitor the online activities of their children. This leads to understandable concerns about the safety and appropriateness of the platform.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n However, just like any other social media platform there is the good, the bad and the ugly. It\u2019s important to have an awareness of the pros and cons of the app so that you can make better informed decisions to protect your child, whilst respecting their freedom of expression and autonomy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Good:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bad:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ugly:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping young people safe in a digital age can feel like an impossibility, especially given the prevalence and importance of the internet in their day-to-day lives. Our Online Safety & Harms<\/a> training course teaches you everything you need to know about the potential online risks and harms children face, providing you with the tools to recognise the signs of harm or abuse and keep the children around you safe.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n In order to help keep children and young people safe on the platform, TikTok provides various parental controls that can help you to monitor your child\u2019s activity and minimise the chances of them seeing age inappropriate content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the parental controls offered include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is undeniably difficult to keep up with new technology and how best to keep your child safe online. However, it is equally important to respect a young person\u2019s autonomy, privacy and right to use TikTok as they wish. Though your intentions may be rooted in protection, making unilateral decisions without involving your child, such as limiting search content without telling them, or disrespecting their privacy, such as reading their messages without their consent, can destroy trust and make it more likely for them to hide things from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This might start with them hiding smaller things such as how long they actually spend on the app, but can easily escalate to them not telling you about instances of cyberbullying or grooming. Instead, talk to your child, explain why you are making certain choices and trust that they will make the right decisions or come to you openly and honestly for help if they don\u2019t. This will help to foster a healthy relationship<\/a> that is rooted in trust and mutual respect.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can read more about TikTok\u2019s guardian specific safety features here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n TikTok, like any other social media platform, comes with certain risks. However, there are many ways to reduce the risks and ensure the safe and fun use of TikTok for your child. Below you will find five top tips to help keep your child safe on TikTok. <\/p>\n\n\n\n TikTok has taken the world by storm and has proven to be a social media global phenomenon. Its prevalence and popularity amongst children and young people present unique difficulties, however, careful consideration and open communication can help to greatly reduce the risks that it poses. At its core, TikTok is a creative platform that allows people to come together and share fun, imaginative and unique content. Encouraging your child to remain diligent and cautious enables them to enjoy the app safely.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our parents’ guide to TikTok outlines all you need to know to keep your child safe whilst using the global video sharing phenomenon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":77967,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[75,80],"class_list":["post-43693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safeguarding","tag-safeguarding-children","tag-teachers-and-parents"],"acf":{"schema_disabled":false,"schema_properties_FAQPage_question_answer":null,"schema_properties_HowTo_howto_tools":null,"schema_properties_HowTo_howto_supplies":null,"schema_properties_HowTo_howto_steps":null,"schema_properties_WebPage_cssSelector":null,"schema_sameAs_repeater":null,"schema_custom_json_repeater":null,"schema_custom_json_override":false},"yoast_head":"\n
\n\n\n\nIs TikTok Safe for Kids?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/div>Want to Learn More?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>
\n\n\n\nDoes TikTok Have Parental Controls?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nTikTok Safety Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nFurther Resources:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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