TikTok, the short video sharing app, is the trend of the season with Gen Z actively participating and expressing themselves freely through 15-second videos. While the teenagers are busy finding their 15 seconds of fame and fun on the app, parents are often wondering what makes the app so special.
TikTok is more than just a social media platform. It is a community of people showcasing their talent and sharing knowledge with the world in their own unique ways. What makes it even more special for teenagers is that it is a place where they can let their guard down and find an outlet for their own individual expression.
With TikTok being the most popular app among teenagers, ByteDance, a technology company delivering a range of popular mobile platforms, lists a few things parents need to know about the platform.
For 13 years and above only: TikTok allows only users above the age of 13 years. Age Gate is the in-app safety feature which allows only those users who are 13 or above to create or log in to the platform. This feature ensures that your child below 13 won’t even get access to the platform.
Keep a check on the time spent:
Digital well-being is a key safety feature of the app that all parents should know about. With the ‘screen time management’ under this feature, parents can set up time limits of 40, 60, 90 or 120 minutes. If the users reach their screen time limit, they will need to enter a password to continue to use TikTok that makes monitoring their engagement with the platform easier.
Control the content watched:
Another feature that promotes digital well-being is Restricted Mode. It limits the contents in the app that may not be appropriate for young users. This feature can be activated via a password.
Keep haters out:
To keep your teenager safe from unpleasant comments, introduce them to the comments filter feature. With this, you can select upto 30 keywords in Hindi and English to be filtered out automatically from comments. This is an excellent way to protect your little one from cyber bullies.
Device management:
The Device Management feature, introduced by the platform, allows users to end sessions or remove their accounts from other devices from within TikTok. This feature will help parents avoid the misuse of children’s accounts.
