PARENT’S GUIDE
A Parent’s Guide to TikTok
TikTok
Videos, Music & Live Streams
With hundreds of millions of users worldwide (many of them teenagers), TikTok is one of the biggest, most lighthearted social media platforms on the planet. It’s a place for kids (and kids at heart) to post lip-sync routines, dance videos, comedy skits—pretty much anything clever and short.
Since TikTok (formerly known as Musical.ly) skews younger than other social media platforms, it might not be familiar to you as a parent. If that’s the case, let us bring you up to speed.
What exactly is TikTok?
It’s a platform where you can watch and upload whimsical videos, usually with teen-targeted special effects and the potential for your stuff to be seen by a global audience. You’ll actually see a surprising amount of parents joining the fun on TikTok (though, to be fair, many of them are there to be comic foils).
My kid keeps mentioning “challenges.” What are those?
Like the now-defunct Vine, TikTok regularly hosts community challenges based on a song, show, or hashtag. The #FullHouse challenge, for example, encourages you to film a version of the opening credits of the ’90s sitcom (complete with the show’s original theme music) using your own cheesy costumes and corny smiles. It’s pretty funny, even if most of the kids filming it were born way after the show first aired.
So how do I find something to watch?
Jump right in: The app opens to the For You screen, which autoplays videos that TikTok thinks you’ll like. To switch to a feed of videos by people you follow, tap Following at the top of the screen. Search hashtags or trending challenges (try #MakeYourBeat or #DressYourPetDay) by tapping the magnifying glass at the bottom of the screen.
The content is generally PG-13, though they might hear some explicit lyrics.
How much does this cost?
TikTok is free, though you can buy a virtual currency called coins to send as gifts to creators, who can exchange them for digital goods.
How many people are using this thing?
TikTok stars can have millions of followers, but most users (like your son or daughter) are followed primarily by their friends.
Sounds fun. What should I be aware of as a paranoid parent?
Some TikTok videos do involve dangerous stunts, and while the content is generally PG-13, there’s always a chance of bumping into profanity, violence, and sexually suggestive content (both visually and musically).
If your child’s profile is public (more on this in a moment), anyone can find their videos. And unfortunately, this creates an opportunity for cyberbullying: Some TikTok members build followings by compiling videos from users that they find awkward or cringey, then sharing those videos to other social media platforms. TikTok generally has a free, fun atmosphere, but it’s good to make your child aware of these potential bad actors.
Can I control who’s watching?
Yes. Go into Privacy and Safety settings and uncheck “Allow Others to Find Me.” Once you do, your children’s videos will no longer turn up in the For You section, nor will your kids see recommendations to follow strangers.
For additional security, check “Private Account.” This way, only approved users will be able to view your child’s videos, and you can adjust who can send them comments, reactions, and messages.
Finally, you can always ask or require your children to let you follow them and have conversations about internet safety. After all, “Don’t post something on the internet you wouldn’t want your parents to see” is still a pretty good rule, even if you’re just messing around with ’90s sitcoms.