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AIBU?

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Original poster

Should I complain to school about this?

200 replies

DigOlBick · 05/10/2021 12:10

Don’t know if I’m being Ott as I’m not a fan of social media in general.

Yesterday my 7 year old came home from school and asked if we could get TikTok. Obviously I said no and left it at that as I assumed some of her friends had been talking about it.

My partner asked her how she knew about it and she said that her TA was talking about it with them and talking about the different challenges that are on there. I’ve read a lot in the news about kids dying from stupid TikTok challenges and I’m quite shocked that an adult working in a class room of small children seems to be recommending videos to them.

My daughter is happy to not have any of these things, she has an iPad and is allowed Netflix and Disney and learning apps but she is not allowed YouTube or anything like that.

Would you complain to the school about this?

OP posts:
Thatsplentyjack · 05/10/2021 13:08

@DigOlBick

I’m younger than you. Yes we had mobile phones in junior school that you could text videos on.
So you weren't very young then
FatJan · 05/10/2021 13:08

My cousin's friend's sister's child went to a school where they played a TikTok video at lunchtime because it was raining and the whole class died, so you do need to be careful.

NotFrozen · 05/10/2021 13:08

OP I agree with you. TikTok is supposed to be restricted to children aged 13 and over, not appropriate for 7 year olds. There are serious questions about what it does with children’s data and there was a recent court settlement in the US where it agreed to pay over $90 million in damages as a result. There is currently litigation in the UK brought by the Children’s Commissioner against TikTok for misusing children’s data. There are many many other risks associated with the platform. It should not be discussed as something fun or appropriate for you g children and the TA is showing a lack of judgment.

Original poster
DigOlBick · 05/10/2021 13:09

You don’t think junior school aged children are very young for porn? Are you fucking serious?

OP posts:
2blackandwhitecats · 05/10/2021 13:09

I wouldn’t be happy either @DigOlBick, but I don’t know if I’d complain. It might be worth mentioning to the class teacher.

I think a lot here - -can’t read- - misread age seven as year seven.

Macncheeseballs · 05/10/2021 13:11

Blimey I'm amazed at how many people are ok with encouraging 7 year olds onto tik tok, I would absolutely report it

Original poster
DigOlBick · 05/10/2021 13:11

Yeah I think it has been misread.

OP posts:
Thatsplentyjack · 05/10/2021 13:12

@DigOlBick

You don’t think junior school aged children are very young for porn? Are you fucking serious?
Calm yourself down. I have no idea how old you would be in juniors. Our school don't work like that. If you claim you were anything less that 12/13 though, I'm going to have to assume you're lying.
Elephantsparade · 05/10/2021 13:13

Yanbu. Tiktok is a safeguarding nightmare. I know lots of children have it but schools tend to steer clear. I am sure the TA was just making conversation and its easy to motivate children with chat about things they find relevant but they shoukd remember the age restriction where possible.

BingBongToTheMoon · 05/10/2021 13:13

Why not teach your child not to be as stupid as to swallow magnets?
Or eat spoonfuls of cinnamon or to copy any other stupid “craze” they see on TikTok.
My 6 year old sits with me and we watch some TikTok videos together on my account. It’s no more “dangerous” as all the other social media/ YouTube platforms IF you monitor their usage.

Original poster
DigOlBick · 05/10/2021 13:13

Junior school is year 3-6. And why assume I’m lying? We had phones you could share videos via Bluetooth on.

OP posts:
2blackandwhitecats · 05/10/2021 13:14

I remember sending a video to a friend in 2004.

If the OP is 27 now and born in 1994 she’d have been 10 and in year 5/6 in 2004. So no idea why you assume she’s lying.

Thatsplentyjack · 05/10/2021 13:14

@Macncheeseballs

Blimey I'm amazed at how many people are ok with encouraging 7 year olds onto tik tok, I would absolutely report it
Who said the TA was encouraging it? More like the other children were encouraging it and the TA was just joining in their conversation.
bohomoon · 05/10/2021 13:17

I'm a primary school teacher and we have loads of young TA's who talk about TikTok to the children. Mostly dance moves and memes. I agree with the others it's not a big deal they are just trying to engage with the children. I'm often surprised that my class are aware of the names and follow them (instead of reading and doing their homework.)

Original poster
DigOlBick · 05/10/2021 13:17

@2blackandwhitecats right! I think that poster lives on their own planet though.

OP posts:
HairyScaryMonster · 05/10/2021 13:17

I'd mention it rather than complain. Oh DD was talking about TT, I was surprised the TA was talking about it as you have to be 12 to join.

Bagamoyo1 · 05/10/2021 13:18

I agree OP, I wouldn’t be impressed either.

RonObvious · 05/10/2021 13:18

YANBU. Although I think I would query it rather than complain! Our school is really hot on internet safety, and certainly wouldn’t be casually chatting about TikTok with 7 year olds.

HollaHolla · 05/10/2021 13:19

Just say no to your child having it, and leave it there. I don't really understand the angst around the issue. The School will have more than enough going on, without dealing with ridiculous non-issues from parents. Just let them get on with their job.

MolyHolyGuacamole · 05/10/2021 13:19

I’ve read a lot in the news about kids dying from stupid TikTok challenges

Have you?

Thatsplentyjack · 05/10/2021 13:20

@2blackandwhitecats

I remember sending a video to a friend in 2004.

If the OP is 27 now and born in 1994 she’d have been 10 and in year 5/6 in 2004. So no idea why you assume she’s lying.

Just don't believe that many children in 2004 would have had phones that they took to school at the age of between 6 - 11. Ours still aren't allowed phones in school at that age.
MolyHolyGuacamole · 05/10/2021 13:20

@DigOlBick

Yes there are stories of children as young as 6 swallowing magnets that have been in the news. Some children have died from doing this. It’s all part of various online challenges. Just like the tide pod challenges and the ones where kids were kicking the legs out from under there friends. In a few years time I wouldn’t have a problem but she’s just turned 7.
Then you don't need to worry about her doing stupid challenges, I assume she doesn't have a smart phone, wouldn't be able to upload them herself and is generally supervised by you regardless
CoddledAsAMommet · 05/10/2021 13:20

I'm absolutely with you, OP. I wouldn't want a TA talking to my daughter (aged6) about TikTok in ANY way other than to remind them they are too young for it, it can be dangerous and they shouldn't have an account til they are a minimum of 13. I wouldn't be at all happy ro hear any mention of it in a positive light in a primary school at all. It's totally unnecessary.

ADreadedSunnyDay · 05/10/2021 13:21

I would raise with school and seek clarification of the context. Was the TA advising the children not to engage with TikTok and your DD has misunderstood? I would express concern if TikTok was raised in an inappropriate manner.

Sometimes I think schools forget that young children take everything that an adult at school says to them as absolute fact. They don't have a filter or developed thought processes that enable them to make subtle distinction.

Thatsplentyjack · 05/10/2021 13:21

[quote DigOlBick]@2blackandwhitecats right! I think that poster lives on their own planet though.[/quote]
Ok Hmm