TikTok is a popular short-form video platform and while it has a mission to inspire creativity and bring joy, it also has safety processes in place to keep Cambodian teens safe. [1]
According to the platform’s Terms of Service, users must not be under the age of 13. [2] The platform also has a designated set of content that it considers to be potentially harmful, and community members are directed to an in-app guide if they attempt to search for it. [3] Additionally, in November 2021, TikTok launched a global project to better understand how teens engage with online challenges and hoaxes, and released new videos in February 2022 to spotlight the importance of following a 4-step process for engaging with online challenges. [1]
They have also made it easier for community members to report challenges, and are working to reflect these changes in the video reporting menu. [1] As long as the safety processes are followed, TikTok can be considered a safe platform for Cambodian teens.
There are a few safety concerns that parents and guardians should be aware of. First and foremost, there is the issue of privacy. TikTok collects data from users, including their age, gender, location, and more. This can be used to target ads, and it also means that our kids are sharing personal information with a company.
Second, there are concerns about the content that is available on TikTok. Although the platform has filters to block inappropriate videos, there is still a risk of kids being exposed to material that isn’t suitable for their age.
Lastly, there is the issue of cyberbullying. Unfortunately, some users take advantage of the anonymity and relative lack of moderation on the platform to harass and bully other people.
To ensure that our kids stay safe, it’s important for parents and guardians to monitor their children’s usage of the app and to talk to them about the potential risks. Additionally, parents can set up parental controls on the app to minimize their child’s exposure to inappropriate material.
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