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Preteens

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Original poster

TikTok and inappropriate content

20 replies

Booradley23 · 18/03/2023 05:59

DS is 11. He’s not allowed on Tik Tok but he has a mobile and a friend sends him links to what he thinks is are funny videos.

I’ve watched a few and whilst they are just on the verge of being inappropriate for an 11 year old, my main concern is that it’s playing within Tiktok and the suggested next videos are very inappropriate.

Anyone know how TikTok works when you are watching links sent by other people. Is the suggested content you might like based on what you’ve already watched / what person sending link watches etc?

Amy info helpful!

OP posts:
BlueSpark · 18/03/2023 08:09

I think if you're only sent stuff, it will be based on that but if you watch actively, it's based on what you have watched. For example, my thread is political and comedy and DDs is "like this video if you think this puppy is cute".

Mumsnet hates TikTok but I am very active and it's only the lives that are of concern. You may be able to block them on the feed.

You are given a snippet of it on inappropriate ones so I have seen a what looked like a blurred hand between legs but wouldn't have known what it was as a child and there are some people in poorer countries that have lives of them sleeping or making food in their camps which is just weird. Guessing they make money from it. There is also a baby with an incredibly swollen head which is so incredibly sad. There is probably more but DD has never seen any of that. TikTok also knows she is not 13 and regularly blocks her account.

Dacadactyl · 18/03/2023 08:12

I wouldn't trust that Chinese spyware one bit.

Beachhutnut · 18/03/2023 08:31

Why haven't you got controls on his phone to stop him opening the links? My DD has to ask permission to open links ( by sending me a request) and if it's something she's not allowed I say no. Easy to set up

BlueSpark · 18/03/2023 08:46

@Beachhutnut do you watch the links first or is it a blanket no? How old is your child?

What age rating of films and programs do you allow them to watch?

Beachhutnut · 18/03/2023 19:08

She's 11. I allow her to watch most 12's. It's a blanket no on Tik tok and a it depends on you tube etc.

Beachhutnut · 18/03/2023 19:09

I will watch the links first. Obviously this won't be forever and I will build up her independence but I think at 11 they need supervising.

WeCome1 · 18/03/2023 19:14

You can ‘dislike’ content on TikTok with a long press on a video, and obviously like it, to guide the feed in the direction you want. Maybe sit and do that with them.

Original poster
Booradley23 · 18/03/2023 21:08

Thanks for your comments, I didn’t know I could set the permission to watch links first or influence the feed so will look at this.

OP posts:
memesndmoreme · 18/03/2023 21:40

Why at 11 is he not allowed to watch tiktok? He will be going to secondary soon...

BlueSpark · 19/03/2023 07:31

Thank you @Beachhutnut

I actually didn't know you could do that with the links. I've tried with apps but when I allowed it, it didn't pass through to her phone so I just took it off and she has to tell me about them.

DD is 11 too so very interesting to see how other people are with these things.

Dacadactyl · 19/03/2023 09:33

memesndmoreme · 18/03/2023 21:40

Why at 11 is he not allowed to watch tiktok? He will be going to secondary soon...

My DD is 16 and not allowed tiktok or Snapchat.

Dacadactyl · 19/03/2023 09:35

WeCome1 · 18/03/2023 19:14

You can ‘dislike’ content on TikTok with a long press on a video, and obviously like it, to guide the feed in the direction you want. Maybe sit and do that with them.

Surely the minute the kid starts having free rein over the feed and likes stuff again, the feed puts up stuff that may not be suitable though? Or is that not the case?

BlueSpark · 19/03/2023 11:21

@Dacadactyl yes that's how it works but you can ask that they dislike the type of videos you're trying to get them to avoid. If they want to watch them at 16, I don't think you have much of a choice.

Banning a 16 yr old from Snapchat and TikTok seems overkill. They could move out and get married in two years and a massive proportion do go to uni and live elsewhere at 18.

janefondofu · 19/03/2023 11:25

@Dacadactyl i feel bad for your DD

BloodyThursday · 19/03/2023 11:26

Do t you have to be 13 for TikTok?

Dacadactyl · 19/03/2023 11:38

janefondofu · 19/03/2023 11:25

@Dacadactyl i feel bad for your DD

Lol why? I feel sorry for your kids if they're allowed tiktok. Goes both ways.

I saw some of the stuff on her tiktok feed when she was 13ish (stuff I thought was inappropriate) so I banned her outright.

Dacadactyl · 19/03/2023 11:39

BlueSpark · 19/03/2023 11:21

@Dacadactyl yes that's how it works but you can ask that they dislike the type of videos you're trying to get them to avoid. If they want to watch them at 16, I don't think you have much of a choice.

Banning a 16 yr old from Snapchat and TikTok seems overkill. They could move out and get married in two years and a massive proportion do go to uni and live elsewhere at 18.

She was banned at 13. Now she's 16 she says she sees why and has done research on tiktok and its algorithms etc. She agrees I was right.

premicrois · 19/03/2023 11:41

memesndmoreme · 18/03/2023 21:40

Why at 11 is he not allowed to watch tiktok? He will be going to secondary soon...

TikTok is by far the worst app out there among the young ones just now. You have no control over what your child sees. That should be reason enough to not allow an 11 year old to use it, surely?

Dacadactyl · 19/03/2023 11:42

Watch the social dilemma on Netflix. Terrifying stuff. None of the tech execs (who make and release these apps) let their kids have them either!

Mary8076 · 23/08/2023 00:12

Dacadactyl · 19/03/2023 09:35

Surely the minute the kid starts having free rein over the feed and likes stuff again, the feed puts up stuff that may not be suitable though? Or is that not the case?

Show quote history

I just posted a question about Tiktok and I found this. Two of my DDs, one is just 16yo as your dd, are asking for it and I've been thinking of letting her try it if there's guarantee that the built-in parental control will block any, all, 100%, of inappropriate videos for teen. Have you tested it and you know it doesn't work?
I'm already inclined to say no, but "she is 16", "peers have it", "you are too strict"... parent's doubts, but there's no doubt in "better safe than sorry".

I feel very good for your DD!
I'm sure she feels loved and happy, also because of your protection.

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