Social media
Discord: why kids love it and how you can keep them safe
Learn how you and the kids in your life can use Discord safely.
Read articleSigny Arnason
Associate Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Child Protection
Remember a time when teens just wanted to be YouTube stars (which was probably only last year)? Now it’s all about making 60-second content on the SUPER popular app, TikTok, which has 700+ million daily active users.
The short, sharable videos are mostly music driven – think lip-syncs, comedic duets, and dance routines – and can be a great opportunity for self-expression and creativity. However, like other video-sharing platforms, it can also expose teens to risks that range from viewing objectionable content to receiving messages from people they don’t know.
TikTok is a short-form, video-sharing app.
Users create and upload 60 or 15 second videos to their own page, but can also search for popular creators, categories (comedy, animals, sports), and hashtags to find videos to watch.
There is also a limited live-stream component. The option is currently only available in some test markets, but there are plans for a full rollout in the coming year.
TikTok is intended for users age 13 and over, however, it’s possible to bypass the app’s age verification by entering false a birthdate.
If a birthdate is entered showing the user is under 13, they are directed to a separate section of the app which only lets tweens view curated videos, and users can't comment, search, or post their own videos.
This blog post contains links to websites owned and operated by third parties. These links are provided for your information and convenience only and are not an endorsement by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection of the content of such linked websites or third parties. Terms and conditions, ratings, features and functionality of apps change rapidly and accordingly all content within this article is provided “as is” and for general information purposes only. To learn more about the app featured in this blog post, visit the website related to the app and carefully review the content made available on the website, as well as all information provided at the time of download and thereafter.
The tips and other information provided herein is intended as general information only, not as advice. Readers should assess all information in light of their own circumstances, the age and maturity level of the child they wish to protect and any other relevant factors.
Learn how you and the kids in your life can use Discord safely.
Read articleOmegle’s tagline is self-explanatory; people visit the site to “Talk to Strangers.”
Read articleLearn how to avoid revealing your location when filming videos for social media.
Read article