The growth of TikTok is overwhelming and thousands of users join the platform every day. If you have tried to use the application and you are lost, or if as a parent or guardian of a minor you are concerned about how they are using it and what type of content they may be seeing, don't worry. This is everything you need to know about TikTok.
What is TikTok
The easiest way to describe TikTok is as a social network that combines the best and most addictive of other platforms like YouTube, Vine or Instagram. In this way, the idea is to create and publish short videos that are usually accompanied by background music.
Not in vain, the current focus is partly due to the purchase of Musica.ly, a network where short music videos and playback were recorded that ended up merging its app with that of TikTok.
How TikTok works
How TikTok works is easy to understand, although those of us of a certain age may find it difficult to assimilate due to the frenetic pace of its publications. But basically what you do is record small video clips to which you can add music or other effects, modify the playback speed, etc.
Taking into account that these videos must have a duration between 15 seconds minimum and a minute maximum, it is normal that together with these simple editing tools hypnotic content is created at high speed.
In addition, quality and elaboration are not sought so much as spontaneity and originality. Hence, the platform itself invites you to consume and create trending content, based on trendy tunes or songs or any other topic that has an impact at that time.
All this mix is what makes TikTok a success and, when you start watching videos, it is difficult to stop consuming content on its platform.
What videos can you watch on TikTok
@lipsyncbattleMe, every Friday. #LipSyncBattle ?: Watch now in the Paramount Network app.♬ original sound – lipsyncbattle
On TikTok you can watch videos of all kinds. In theory, most content is suitable for ages 13+, but there may be posts that convey an explicit message that is inappropriate for the user's age. And no, there are no filters or way to limit what can be seen.
What you can do is know what ways there are to find content on the web. The first one is in the home section and it is the videos of the people you are Following. On that same screen you can also see the recommendations For you, videos that TikTok thinks will be of interest to you based on what you've been watching.
Finally, there is the search engine that allows you to filter by a specific topic or see the hashtags that are trending at that precise moment.
Who can see the videos you post
Voucher, you can't limit what videos are watched, but yes, who sees those that are published on your profile or that of the minors in your care. To do this, you just have to go to your Profile and in privacy settings turn off the option to allow others to find you. In this way, you will no longer appear in anyone's For You section and only those who follow you will see your videos.
If you want more control, then you should activate the Private Account option. This way you can control who you accept as a follower and who you don't. In addition, a series of extra options can also be applied that affect how and who can or cannot interact, react or send messages. All these settings are within the options of your Profile.
Tips for responsible use of TikTok
As can happen with TikTok or any other application or internet service, there are some tools to ensure their use by the little ones, although the best option is always caution and understanding how the platform works.
If you are a parent or guardian, you can create your own TikTok account and manage the minor's account by linking both thanks to the family safety mode. This gives you options to limit the time of use and type of interactions.
To activate this family security mode, what you have to do is the following:
- Download the TikTok app on your smartphone and create your own account
- Start the application and go to the user profile, there look for the option digital detox
- Next, tap on the Family Safety Mode option
- Select if you are a parent/guardian or youth
- Depending on the previous selection, the option to scan a QR code or the code itself will appear to link that account to the main one
- Finally, you will have to create a code to access these options and avoid unauthorized access
- Back in Digital Detox you will see the options for screen time management or restricted mode.
With this and explaining to them that if they see inappropriate content or suffer some kind of problem they should tell it in order to help them, neither TikTok nor any other network should cause problems for the little ones. Also, always with the condition of respecting what they post and not making comments that might make them feel bad, you can follow them and have control over what they post. To be able to advise you if it is suitable or not.
And now yes, if you haven't done it yet, you can download the appyou can download the app now and start with your first TikTok.