A recent report by Ofcom highlighted that over half of 3-17-year-olds are using TikTok. Here’s everything you need to know about the popular video-sharing app.

What is TikTok?

TikTok is a video-sharing platform where you can watch and create videos, and livestream. The app has an age-rating of 13+.

Users can browse different videos on TikTok via a personalised feed known as the ‘For You Page’. You can also search for content using topics or hashtags.

How does the TikTok algorithm work?

The platform uses algorithms to show users different video content based on their interests and other videos they watch. This means that not everyone’s ‘For You Page’ is the same.

Sometimes platforms also test out different types of content with similar themes to see how we interact, so it knows what to show us in the future.

What types of videos are on TikTok?

Anyone with an account can upload a video to the platform. This means that there’s a whole range of videos that feature different topics, challenges or ideas. Some might include:

• dancing or lip-synching
• clips from TV shows or films
• sports
• comedy sketches or funny videos
• recipes
• fitness
• news or world events.

Is TikTok safe for children?

TikTok can be a creative outlet for young people as it allows them to learn about video editing and discover new interests. However, it can be easy for children and young people to come across inappropriate content on the app.

Because TikTok uses algorithms to show users new content, it’s easy for young people to come across inappropriate or upsetting videos. The platform also has communication features that allow users to privately message each other which could put your child at risk of being contacted by someone they don’t know.

Make sure your child signs up to TikTok with the correct age

All accounts created by 13-16-year-olds are set to private by default. They also have restricted access to direct messages and livestreaming. However, you should still review the settings to ensure they’ve been set up correctly.

How to keep your child safe on TikTok using safety settings

There are six security settings that can help you to keep TikTok safe for your child and prevent them seeing anything that might worry or upset them:

1. Family Pairing This allows you to connect your child’s account with your own. It gives you access to parental controls to help manage who they can speak to and how long they can spend on the app.
2. Private accountSetting your child’s account to private means that only approved followers will be able to watch their videos.
3. Restricted modeThis feature helps to filter out videos that may contain inappropriate or adult topics and stop them appearing on your child’s 'For You Page'.
4. Comment filtersEnable to manage who can comment on your child’s videos and stop inappropriate comments from appearing on their feed.
5. Direct messagesThis can help them manage who can contact them privately on the app. You can choose who can send them direct messages by selecting ‘Friends only’ or ‘No one’.
6. Daily screen timeThis setting allows you manage how long your child can spend on the app. You can set a daily time limit, and once it’s up you’ll need to enter a passcode to keep using the platform.