what age for Tik Tok [edited by MNHQ at poster's request]

[mrswenthworth]

Dd is a new yr 7. She has had a phone since Christmas which she is moderately ok with but we have reasonable parameters of use (not in bedroom, we can always check it whenever we ask, can only download apps which dh has agreed to etc).

She has WhatsApp but I do check periodically and she's been fairly responsible with it.

She wants TikTok. Both DH and I are tending to a no for no other reason that we want her to stay off social media type stuff for as long as possible plus dh is fairly conservative especially around online behaviour. But lots of her friends have it so it's the old issue of not wanting her to feel excluded or behind.

So are we being too strict. She's almost 12.

I'd say no

FFS! What age for Tik Tok.

I said no until 13. I still don't like it as an app.

Theres loads of young stuff on tik tok.
( as well as a load of other great stuff on)
Personally I'd let her but put the parental controls on. You can restrict inappropriate content.

Just to add to my post, I would put some things on her to follow so you know and sporadically check everythings ok.

This is going to be a bit of long winded answer but I hope it makes sense.

TikTok has an excellent algorithm. Something my nieces always say to me is how 'relatable' the content is on there. So as long as long as your DD is only watching things that are appropriate for her age - then MOSTLY only that kind of stuff will come up.

Because I'm sad I had a look into how videos get shown to different users. Basically, when somebody posts a video it's added onto 100 users 'for you pages' (their general feed - which is made up of both accounts you follow and random videos based on videos that you have previously interacted with). Then, based on how those 100 users interact with those videos, it's then shared to another group of users. So on and so on.

The problem is, that generally the first 100 accounts that the videos are shown to, are random. So although your daughter should, hypothetically, only receive content that is based on her previous interactions (which you would hope would be age appropriate etc) she will see videos that aren't targeted specifically for her. So if could literally be ANYTHING. Then if she sees that, interacts with it, TikTok will assume she likes that content then will get much more of the same. So if she interacts with a video that's got sexual content in, even if it's only one, even if it's by accident, more will show for her.

So basically, based upon those facts, I wouldn't let my 12 year old have TikTok. Wait until she's a bit older. I hope that helps! X

BlueMoons90
Do the algorithms over ride the restricted filters?
Genuine question I'm not dealing with young kids at home any more.

I wouldn't, there's a lot of sexual content that gets allowed and videos have gone round before of people killing themselves. Even using parental controls these can slip through.
I saw a video of a man shooting his head and even I was disturbed, for a child I can imagine that would give nightmares!
I just wouldn't risk it.

@notacooldad they shouldn't do - but things do slip through the net because it's all automated. It's not a 100%, no adult content type situation like Netflix kids for example.

I saw a video of a man shooting his head and even I was disturbed, for a child I can imagine that would give nightmares!
Blimey I e never seen anything like that, just new to me bands, receipes, gardening tips, weight lifting and stuff relevant to work.
I'd die if I saw that!!

This is really helpful, thanks all. @BlueMoons90 that was mega helpful - just read it out to dh and I think we're going for a no.

Yet another thing for mean and horrible mum to say no to. Puberty is hard innit

@mrswenthworth

This is really helpful, thanks all. *@BlueMoons90* that was mega helpful - just read it out to dh and I think we're going for a no.

Yet another thing for mean and horrible mum to say no to. Puberty is hard innit

My DS is 15 and I sporadically scroll through his 'for you page' just to see what kind of content is being shown to him! There's just something very unknown about it compared to other forms of social media, in my opinion!

I have just had a look at DS’s content. His is gaming, dogs, dancing and the GBBO!