Is TikTok safe for kids? An honest TikTok review for parents.

TikTok is a popular social media app that allows users to create and share short videos, usually set to music. The app has gained immense popularity among teenagers and young adults, with many users spending hours scrolling through videos and creating their own content.

While TikTok is designed to be a fun and creative platform, there are some potential dangers associated with the app, particularly for children. One of the primary concerns is that children may be exposed to inappropriate content, such as videos that contain nudity, violence, or sexual themes. Additionally, there is a risk that children may be exposed to online predators or bullies who use the app to target vulnerable individuals.

To help mitigate these risks, TikTok has implemented a range of safety features designed to protect children while they use the app. For example, the app allows parents to set a limit on the amount of time their child can spend on the app each day. Additionally, the app has a "restricted mode" that filters out content that may be inappropriate for younger viewers.

The app also has a range of reporting and blocking features that allow users to flag inappropriate content or behavior and prevent certain users from interacting with them. Additionally, TikTok has a team of moderators who review all content on the app to ensure that it meets their community guidelines.

Despite these safety features, there are still potential dangers associated with TikTok that parents should be aware of. For example, there is a risk that children may share personal information on the app, such as their name, location, or phone number, which could be used by online predators or bullies to harm them.

To help mitigate these risks, parents should monitor their child's activity on the app, including the videos they create and the interactions they have with other users. They should also educate their child about online safety, such as not sharing personal information with strangers and reporting any inappropriate behavior to a parent or moderator.

In conclusion, TikTok can be a fun and creative platform for children and teenagers, but there are potential dangers associated with the app that parents should be aware of. By using the app in conjunction with other safety measures and having open communication with their child about online safety, parents can help ensure that their child has a positive experience while using the app.

Bark’s monitoring covers direct messaging on TikTok, but unfortunately, this is only for Android devices. TikTok does not let third-party services monitor its content, but we're continually working to be able to monitor TikTok on iOS devices.

For super popular apps like TikTok, we want to make sure parents have as much information as possible before deciding if their child should download it. So we have a comprehensive app review with even more details about TikTok — not to mention multiple blog posts about the latest trends, slang, and app updates — so you can make the best decision for your child.

Lastly, if you decide your child is ready for TikTok, you can take advantage of the available parental controls outside of Bark’s monitoring. Our TikTok tech guide gives parents step-by-step instructions on how to set up these parental controls, including privacy controls, setting restricted mode, and TikTok’s Family Pairing feature.