The Popularity of TikTok Among Kids
TikTok has become extremely popular among kids and teens in recent years. According to a 2022 survey by Pew Research Center, 67% of teens say they use TikTok, with this figure rising to 73% among teen girls specifically[1]. Another report in early 2023 found that 53% of kids are active on TikTok[2].
There are several reasons for TikTok’s popularity among younger demographics. The short-form viral videos appeal to kids’ and teens’ preferences for bite-sized, entertaining content. TikTok’s algorithm is very effective at showing users content that aligns with their interests and keeps them engaged. The app also makes it easy for anyone to create videos and gain a following. Using familiar songs, trends, and effects gives kids a template for participating.
However, the huge popularity of TikTok among underage users raises concerns about exposure to inappropriate content like violence, explicit language, and mature themes. There are also fears about privacy risks, cyberbullying, and potential exploitation of minors by adult users.
Risks of TikTok for Young Users
TikTok holds many risks for young users despite being one of the most popular social media platforms in the world.
One of the main risks on TikTok is exposure to inappropriate content. As stated by Healthy Young Minds, “Inappropriate content can easily find its way onto TikTok feeds through hashtags and features like dueting.” The platform’s algorithm can expose children to sexually explicit videos, drug references, violence, and other mature material.
Another risk is cyberbullying and harassment. As reported by Mom Junction, “Cyberbullying is quite common on this platform”. The comment sections often contain hurtful remarks, and the duet feature can be used to mock other users. This type of hostile environment can negatively impact a child’s mental health.
There are also valid privacy and data collection concerns surrounding TikTok. According to KidsPappy, “some experts argue that TikTok collects too much data from its underage users”. The app has access to user locations, messages, contacts, and other sensitive information that could potentially be sold or leaked.
TikTok’s Policies Around Kids
TikTok requires users to be at least 13 years old to create an account, in accordance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the United States. Their Children’s Privacy Policy outlines how they collect, use, and protect the personal information of users under 13.
To protect young users, TikTok has implemented features such as restricted direct messaging, limited account visibility, default private accounts, and screen time management. In March 2023, TikTok announced that accounts for users under 18 will automatically have a 60-minute daily screen time limit enabled (TikTok, 2023).
However, critics argue these protections are limited. Content moderation is not perfect, comments can still be inappropriate for kids, and workarounds exist for screen time limits. Parents are encouraged to directly monitor underage use.
Parental Controls on TikTok
TikTok provides some parental control options that allow parents to restrict certain features if their child is under 13 years old. The main way to enable parental controls is by using TikTok’s Family Pairing feature.
Family Pairing allows parents to link their own TikTok account to their child’s account. Once linked, parents can restrict certain features like:
- Restricting Direct Messages so that the child can only communicate with approved followers
- Restricting privacy settings so videos are only visible to approved followers
- Limiting screen time
- Restricting inappropriate content
However, parental controls on TikTok do have some limitations. As per this article, parents can only set restrictions based on age, not specific content. There is no way to block keywords or hashtags. Parents also can’t selectively block access to creators. So parental controls give basic options, but monitoring childrens’ activity and having open conversations remain important.
Kid-Friendly Alternatives
There are some good kid-friendly alternatives to TikTok that parents may want to consider.
YouTube Kids
YouTube Kids is a version of YouTube made specifically for children under 13. It provides a more controlled experience by only allowing access to curated child-friendly content. Parents can customize settings and turn search on or off. Videos are screened by algorithms and human reviewers to avoid mature content. However, no system is perfect so parents are still encouraged to supervise (Source).
Facebook Messenger Kids
Facebook Messenger Kids is a video chat and messaging app designed for kids to communicate with approved friends and family. It has no in-app purchases and lots of parental controls. However, it does require the child to have a Facebook account (Source).
Other Options
Some other kid-friendly apps parents can look into include YouTube Kids, Roblox, Lego Life, and PBS Kids. Supervising use and setting limits is still recommended no matter which platform a child uses.
YouTube Kids
YouTube Kids is a free app created by YouTube that offers a child-friendly environment for exploring video content. The interface and content on YouTube Kids are specifically designed for younger users, with large icons, bright colors, and categories like shows, music, learning and education (Xfinity, 2023). The app features videos, channels and playlists that have been curated and approved by YouTube’s team of human reviewers to ensure they are age-appropriate for children.
YouTube Kids also provides extensive parental controls and account management features. Parents can turn search on or off, set a timer to limit usage, and select the content for different age groups from preschool to older children. Accounts can be locked down to prevent children from leaving the app. YouTube Kids uses a mix of automated filters, human review and user feedback to flag and remove inappropriate content quickly (SensorTower, 2023). However, no system is perfect so parents are still encouraged to supervise and guide their child’s viewing.
Facebook Messenger Kids
Facebook Messenger Kids is a version of Facebook Messenger designed specifically for children under 13 years old. It was launched in 2017 as a kid-friendly alternative to regular Facebook Messenger and other social media platforms.
Messenger Kids allows kids to video chat and message friends and family with parent approval. Parents must set up their child’s account and approve all contacts. From there, kids can start conversations and send photos, videos, etc. [1]
Some key features of Messenger Kids include:
- Chat focused platform for kids – Messenger Kids is focused purely on messaging and does not include social media features like news feed, groups, etc.
- Parental supervision tools – Parents fully control the experience by approving all contacts and setting controls from the Parent Dashboard.
- Kid-friendly design – The app uses larger icons, bright colors, emoji, and sound effects to appeal to young users.
- No in-app purchases or ads – Messenger Kids has no advertising or ability for kids to spend money.
While Messenger Kids provides more supervision than other platforms, some privacy concerns have been raised. In 2019 a bug allowed some children to join group chats with unapproved strangers [2]. However, Facebook addressed the issue to better protect children’s privacy.
Other Alternatives
In addition to YouTube Kids and Facebook Messenger Kids, there are a few other kid-friendly apps that provide similar functionality to TikTok without some of the risks:
Vigo Video is a free app that allows kids to create and share short videos with effects and filters. It has parental controls and no public commenting. While not as large as TikTok, it provides a similar experience in a safer environment.
Likee, owned by Joyy Inc, is another short form video app with special effects and filters. It claims over 150 million global users. Likee has stricter privacy settings than TikTok, disallowing messaging with strangers. Parents can also restrict usage time and content.
Poparazzi is a photo sharing app designed for kids and teens. It doesn’t allow users to upload their own content. Instead friends take and upload photos, creating a safer social experience. While not a video app, it provides an alternative social media platform.
Overall, while none are as large as TikTok, these alternatives offer parents more control over privacy and interactions while still letting kids express themselves through short video creation.
Guidance for Parents
As a parent, it can be challenging to navigate apps like TikTok with young kids. Here are some tips for managing your kid’s TikTok use:
Have an open conversation about online safety and setting boundaries for screen time and app usage. Explain potential risks of overuse or inappropriate content. Make expectations clear.
Consider granting TikTok access only after your child demonstrates responsible behavior and judgment with other devices/apps. Maturity levels vary.
Familiarize yourself with TikTok’s parental controls and safety features. Restrict settings, enable restricted mode, disable direct messaging, and private accounts.
If allowing TikTok, create and regularly check the account together. Set parameters for appropriate posting and interactions. Encourage kindness.
Monitor your child’s TikTok use and who they follow or interact with. Be aware of signs of inappropriate or concerning behavior.
Promote balance and focus on offline quality time together as a family. Set device-free times and zones. Model healthy digital habits.
Foster open conversations around online safety and digital citizenship. Discuss treating others with respect and not tolerating bullying.
Overall, set clear expectations with your child and exercise diligence in monitoring their access. Work to instill responsibility and wisdom in navigating the digital world.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to kid-friendly alternatives to TikTok, there are a few good options available. YouTube Kids provides a filtered version of YouTube that excludes inappropriate content. Facebook Messenger Kids allows for parent-controlled messaging and video chat. There are also apps like Likee and Flipgrid that offer similar functionality to TikTok in a safer environment.
However, no platform can guarantee 100% safety for young users. The most important thing is for parents to be involved and set boundaries around screen time and social media use. Having open conversations with kids about online safety and monitoring their activities, whether on TikTok or other apps, is key. While alternatives exist, proper parental supervision and education remain essential for protecting children online.