Surely, you must have seen this strange word appearing in headlines. You might even have kids who talk about it nonstop.
But what, exactly, is a TikTok? Why has it become so popular so quickly? And most importantly: is it safe for kids?
Here at GiddyUp, we’re proud to be “in the loop” about the latest and coolest stuff happening around the globe. But we have to admit – TikTok had us stumped at first. So we dove in to better understand this cool new social media platform. Here’s what we learned!
What is TikTok?
First off, TikTok is a social media platform available on smartphones. It was released in 2016, and it became the most downloaded app in the US by 2018.
The platform is similar to Instagram or Facebook’s “Stories” function – users upload short clips on their profile, which are viewed in sequence from a feed.
The platform itself is called TikTok, and each video is also called a “TikTok”. Each user has their own profile, and you can follow people – just like Facebook, Twitter and the like.
Err, wait… that doesn’t sound new. So why is TikTok so popular?!
When we first heard about TikTok, we thought it sounded like… well, pretty much every other platform out there.
However, the difference with TikTok comes in how people use it.
Unlike other platforms, TikTok is completely focused on one thing: silly videos. While Instagram and Facebook allow users to upload images, TikTok is focused on 15-second videos – and they give you lots of fun tools to make them.
The types of videos on TikTok include lip syncing, funny pet videos, challenges, “mom TikToks” (in which parents act silly for the camera), and much more. Users can choose from a huge range of filters, sound effects, stickers and more to make their videos stand out.
The platform is built to be collaborative, which explains much of the popularity. Users will often mimic other TikToks, copying the sound from the original to create their own lip synced version. This makes the platform very “viral-friendly” – when someone posts an especially funny video, chances are good people will copy and spread it.
How do people use TikTok?
Most people spend their TikTok time watching videos on their video feed. The videos repeat automatically, and you swipe to move on to the next one.
We’ll be honest: it’s… extremely addictive. You can go from seeing a celebrity like The Rock doing a funny dance…
@therockMy 2015 moves still play in 2020😂 ##quarantinelife ##throwback♬ Savage – Megan Thee Stallion
….right into a dazzling display of science and color…
@cosmo.guyI watched this video 100 times 😍 ##perfect ##scienceismagic ##water♬ death bed (coffee for your head) – Powfu feat. beabadoobee
…then top it off with a monkey watching a magic trick!
@angelicam_azingHis reaction tho! So precious… tag a friend who laughs like this…😅😂 ##foryoupage ##foryou ##viral ##viralvideo ##makemelaugh ##animallover ##monkey♬ original sound – angelicam_azing
As you can see, there are many types of “TikToks” out there. It’s easy to sit there for hours – in fact, many tiktoks are about this fact. There’s a whole world within TikTok, which is why it’s somewhat mysterious to those who aren’t using it. Your creativity is the only limitation, and with all the collaboration happening, the inspiration seems endless!
Is TikTok safe for kids?
This is a big question – after all, TikTok is much more popular with the under-25 age group than any other platform.
TikTok has been in the news recently. Some governments attempted to ban the platform – however, they have reversed those decisions. There are also some concerns about the Chinese ownership of the company, but nothing substantial has come from that. In general, the platform is quite safe to use as long as you follow basic safety guidelines.
That said, it’s still the internet. If you have a child who uses TikTok, there are three things you can do to ensure they’re staying safe:
1. Set up a private account.
You can go into the settings in TikTok and change accounts to be visible only by followers, which your child has to choose and accept. This is the best way to ensure your child is only interacting with their friends and family… not strangers.
2. Help them get set up.
If they’re not using it already, but have expressed interest, this is a good chance to play a hands-on role. By setting up the account with them, you can walk them through basic safety tips and get an understanding of how they’ll use TikTok.
3. Join in on the fun!
If you’re feeling up for it, don’t be afraid to ask your children to join in. Us adults are finally making our way onto the platform, and while we’re still rare, we do seem to be a welcome presence. Bring your sense of humor and an open attitude (your kids may make you do something silly), and have fun!
That’s all for today. But hey – do you TikTok? What do you think of the platform? Let us know in the comments below!