Can someone explain this TikTok thing to me?

[WelcomeToTheNorth]

Because it’s everywhere and apparently I am pathetically out of touch.

What is it?? If it’s just videos then what’s the difference between that and YouTube??

People put up short videos on a variety of topics. I tend to watch a lot of plant ones and animals. Lots of dancing. The algorithm is supposed to group you with similar people so I can't speak for what others see. Mine currently thinks I am an american lesbian apparently.

You can follow people too

It's the new version of Vine. Short videos that don't mean fuck all. Just another way to waste time.

It's totally lost of me too OP and I'm an IT Consultant and Programmer, so as my youngest said to me, you should know all about this! Really? I don't even have Facebook!

Throw Vine into the mix and I'm like, Eh? What's all that?

What's vine then?

I have to watch Tik Tok dance videos every day. My daughter is obsessed...

I like watching the street food videos but it leaves me hungry!

@MadinMarch The only vine I understand is vineyard

Is it the new Snapchat? Or is that still going?
I haven’t a clue about these things!

I thought I was the only one left in the world that has no idea what its all about !

It’s taken me a little while to work it out, but it’s short videos that you film, often to music.

I like the dance challenges.

My five year olds slightly older cousins all like it because they apparently do wee dances but I’m wary.

Oh come on, stop with the faux puzzlement, what's hard to understand about an app where people share short videos?

Videos are all less than a minute. 'trends' start when people upload the same dance or prank or whatever craze.

It's different because it's difficult to search. Instead when you open the app you're given a random selection of videos. Based on which ones you "like" the algorithm sends you more of those.

Mine consists of cat videos, pranks and farts lockdown is getting to me!

Default settings aren’t ok for kids, but locked down privacy settings are easy to undo and allow strangers to contact them. Have a read of this for the pros and cons - commonsense media guide to tiktok.

Tiktok is the paedophiles favorite app. Lots of underage kids strutting their stuff while pouty lip-syncing to songs. I'm afraid I think it's the devils work.

Snapchat is also a parent's nightmare - no trace left of conversations, so no chance to pick up on issues.

Hmm I see your point Wally but I think the paedophiles are the devils work and that the app should be fine if kids are being parented.
Should being the operative word, you can be extremely careful and your kids will still find a way to deceive you lol

@Iamthe1andonlyyyyy 4 teens here and my god they make every mistake going between them. And we talk the subject to death on a very regular basis.

Tiktok used to be for the teens. Since lockdown it has been taken over by the middle aged doing the challenges. Teens told me with confidence that older women doing the dance go viral very easily! We are learning the dances as a distraction nd a bit of fun, but there is NO way I am uploading!

I made a video that explains a little bit about the app, but also how parents need to be aware of how their children may use the app and how you can help protect them:

I've just discovered it. I've lost hours to it in the last few days, it's quite addictive. I've done serious belly laughing at some of the vids.

I'm not really into the teen girls and boys doing transformations - I can see how that could be negative on impressionable young minds.

There seems to be a lot of innocent and good fun on there but obviously as with all social media platforms, there will be dodgy and unpleasant stuff available.

My DD is 16 and is appalled that I have tiktok "can't we have anything to ourselves!!!" was ranted at me last night. I've told her to a wind her neck in or I'll post a video of me badly dancing to Stormzy and send it to all her friends 😂

As a pp said, during lockdown it seems to have been taken over by us oldies (I'm 41...!) so there is a lot of silly, bored, show offs and wannabe comedians on there.

It's a bit of fun, as an adult. If you have teens, proceed with caution and check the settings.