What age is TikTok for? TikTok age restrictions parents need to know!

Are you a parent wondering What age is TikTok for and if TikTok is safe for your child? Learn about TikTok age restrictions, how the app verifies user age and the potential risks of underage use.

Discover tips and resources to help you monitor your child’s use of TikTok and keep them safe online.

What age is TikTok for?

TikTok is a social media platform where users can create, share, and discover short videos. The app allows users to record and edit videos that are up to 60 seconds long and add music, filters, and special effects. The platform has become incredibly popular, particularly among younger generations, and has been downloaded over 2 billion times worldwide.

TikTok age requirement

How old do you have to be to have TikTok?

Answer:

• Theoretically, all social media platforms (not just TikTok) are for children above 13. This is because of COPPA rules. COPPA prohibits websites from collecting information on children younger than 13 years without parental permission, and social media platforms only allow for children above 13.
• But in reality, the age for Tik Tok depends on whether your children are ready (mentally, acknowledgeable, responsible) to use social media.

The potential risks and dangers of using TikTok at such a young age

Younger can be affected by the spread of misinformation 

TikTok has been used to spread misinformation, including false and misleading information about COVID-19.

The spread of misinformation on TikTok has become a growing concern. Some examples include:

• Health Misinformation: One example of health misinformation on TikTok is the promotion of false cures for serious illnesses, such as cancer. These false claims can spread quickly on the platform, leading people to make dangerous and potentially life-threatening decisions about their health.

In addition, TikTok has also seen an increase in the spread of conspiracy theories and unproven treatments, such as the false claim that drinking bleach can cure COVID-19.

• Fake News: TikTok has faced criticism for allowing the spread of fake news, including hoaxes and fabricated stories.
• Harmful Content: The app has also faced criticism for hosting and promoting harmful content, including hate speech and extremist ideologies.

Children at risk of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying on TikTok, like on any other social media platform, can take various forms, including spreading rumors, sending harassing messages, or sharing embarrassing photos or videos without the victim’s consent.

AS WITH ANY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM, TIKTOK CAN BE USED TO BULLY OR HARASS OTHERS.

Here are a few real-life cases of cyberbullying on TikTok:

• Anna Tang, a 17-year-old with almost 11,000 followers on her TikTok account, @ann.uuhh, has experienced it unfortunately. While Anna initially started filming TikTok dances as a way of having fun, it quickly turned into harassment as strangers on the platform left mean comments on her videos.
• In 2020, a mother in Australia reported that her daughter was being bullied on TikTok by a group of teenagers who created a fake account to harass her.

These are just a few examples of cyberbullying on TikTok. It’s important to note that cyberbullying can have serious consequences and should be taken seriously.

Kids are at risk of becoming TikTok addiction

Many children nowadays become overly reliant on or addicted to TikTok, negatively impacting their mental health and daily activities.

TikTok addiction can be harmful in several ways:

• Time Management: Too much time on TikTok can take away from important activities such as schoolwork, socializing with friends and family, or engaging in physical exercise. This can result in a lack of productivity, a decrease in academic performance, and even health problems.
• Mental Health: Constantly comparing oneself to others on TikTok can lead to low self-esteem and negative body image. Moreover, exposure to negative comments or cyberbullying can have severe consequences on your child’s mental health, causing feelings of anxiety, depression, or even suicidal thoughts.
• Physical Health: Spending long periods staring at a screen can lead to eye strain and headaches, contributing to poor posture and decreased physical activity. Additionally, it can impact the quality of sleep, which can further contribute to negative physical and mental health outcomes.
• Social Interactions: Spending too much time on TikTok can lead to decreased face-to-face communication skills with others. This can make it challenging for your child to build strong relationships, develop empathy, or build essential social skills.

4 Things parents need to note when letting kids use TikTok

Although the minimum age requirement for TikTok is 13 years old, don’t just depend on that number! It’s crucial to consider whether your child is ready, responsible, and educated on how to use social media safely.

Here are 4 tips for parents:

1. Use parental controls: You can’t let your child freely watch and post on TikTok, but completely banning them from the app could limit their creativity and friendships. Using TikTok parental controls is a good solution!

• Do you ever find that your kids keep asking for “just 5 more mins” to watch TikTok, but end up for 30 mins? 
• Does it feel like they would rather be on their devices than have a chat with you?
• Do you worry that their device use is affecting their school performance and social skills?

We are here to back you up! With CyberPurify Egg, you can set screen time schedules, automatically blocking access to games, social media, and movies on ANY device your child uses. 

Enjoy peace of mind knowing your children are less distracted and less dependent on their devices. Plus, with 24/7 protection from harmful websites, you can minimize the risk of dangerous behaviors and porn addiction.

This is how you can how to set parental controls on TikTok:

During scheduled times, TikTok will be automatically blocked from all your children’s devices, like this:

Get CyberPurify Egg – Your trusted ally in your children’s online journey now!

2. Set ground rules: Establish clear rules and guidelines for how they can use TikTok, including how much time they can spend on the app, what type of content they can create and view, and what to do if they encounter inappropriate content or behavior.

3. Educate them about online safety: Talk to your child about the potential risks of using social media, including cyberbullying, online predators, and privacy concerns. Encourage them to report any concerning behavior to you or a trusted adult!

4. Encourage open communication: Foster open communication with your child so they feel comfortable talking to you about their experiences on TikTok. Let them know that they can come to you if they encounter anything that makes them uncomfortable or worried.

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