Parents face the challenge of figuring out "social media for kids," as they want to ensure their children remain safe. There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this multifaceted issue, reflecting the diverse and ever-changing landscape of online platforms. Two platforms that have captured the attention of the younger demographic are TikTok and Zigazoo Kids (TikTok kids?). Below we aim to give you a better understanding of the two platforms and focus on the significance of monitoring your child’s online presence and their connections. Should you need to block someone on TikTok or TikTok entirely - we’ll go over that too.
What is TikTok?
TikTok is a social media application that allows users to create, share, and discover short videos. It has become immensely popular worldwide, with a significant user base among teenagers and young adults. The app offers a wide range of content, from entertainment and comedy to educational videos and DIY projects. Its user-friendly interface, along with the algorithm that suggests content based on user preferences, makes it highly engaging for its audience.
Why is TikTok bad for kids?
The primary concern for parents when it comes to TikTok is the app's open nature and the fact that it allows users to interact with a global audience. This brings the following risks:
Inappropriate Content: The potential for children to encounter material that is not age-appropriate.
Online Predators: Features that allow interaction with strangers can pose risks.
Privacy Concerns: The need to safeguard personal information against default settings that might lack robust privacy protections.
Cyberbullying: The risk of encountering negative or harmful interactions.
Addiction and Excessive Screen Time: The addictive design can lead to excessive screen time, affecting children's sleep, studies, and social interactions in the real world.
Ways to make TikTok safer for kids
Knowing this, you might let your child use TikTok because you are able to monitor your child’s use of the app. We want to give you two important tips that you may need to limit some risks.
How to Block Someone on TikTok
If you are concerned about individual users interacting with your child, TikTok offers a solution on "how to block people on TikTok." Here are the steps:
Navigate to the Profile: Locate and access the profile of the individual you wish to block.
Access Settings: Tap the three dots in the upper right corner to open the settings menu.
Initiate Block: Choose "Block" from the options and confirm to prevent any further interaction with that user.
How to Block TikTok
Should you decide that the best course of action is to block access to TikTok entirely, several methods can be employed:
Use the Device’s Built-in Parental Controls: Check the device for parental control settings that can restrict access to specific apps. For iOS devices with Family Sharing Blok the app
Settings > Family > [Name of account] > Screen Time > Content & Privacy restrictions > Allowed appsEmploy Third-Party Parental Control Apps: These apps offer more comprehensive features, including the ability to block access to TikTok across devices. We recommended one listed in our Top 10 Parental Control Apps of 2024 guide.
Adjust Your Router Settings: Some routers allow for website and app restrictions, effectively blocking access to TikTok from your home network.
What is Zigazoo Kids?
Zigazoo Kids is often referred to as the "TikTok for kids." It is a video-sharing app designed specifically for children, providing a safer and more controlled environment than its counterparts. On Zigazoo, children can watch educational content, take on creative challenges, and share their own videos within a platform that prioritizes safety and positivity. The app's content is curated to ensure it's appropriate for children, and it encourages learning and creativity through fun challenges related to science, art, music, and more.
How is Zigazoo safer for kids than TikTok?
Zigazoo is designed to be safer than TikTok for several key reasons:
Audience Focus: Targeted at children. In contrast, TikTok is aimed at a broader audience, including teenagers and adults, which means its content is not specifically designed with children in mind.
Profile Privacy: Children's profiles are not publicly accessible. Profiles are designed to keep personal information private and are usually not searchable or visible to users outside of approved friends or connections.
Content Moderation: 100% human moderated. The platform employs rigorous content moderation to ensure that all shared videos, comments, and any form of communication are appropriate for children. TikTok, despite offering various safety features and parental controls, still poses potential risks due to its open nature, algorithm-driven content discovery, and broad user base, which requires vigilant monitoring by parents.
Parental Controls: Gives parents control over their child's account settings, including who can view their child's content, who can interact with them, and what content is visible to the child.
Reporting and Blocking Features: Users and their parents can report inappropriate content or behavior and block users from interacting with their account
Curated Content: Unlike platforms where content is largely user-generated and varies widely in appropriateness, Zigazoo curates its content to ensure it is educational, engaging, and safe for children.
Private Accounts by Default: Accounts on child-focused platforms are typically set to private by default, meaning only approved followers can see the content a child posts.
Restricted Data Collection: Adhering to laws like the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the United States, Zigazoo limits the amount of personal information collected from users, especially those under 13.
No Direct Messaging: Many child-friendly platforms either do not include a direct messaging feature or heavily restrict it to prevent unsolicited contact from strangers.
Here we placed things side by side for an easier comparison:
Feature | TikTok | Zigazoo |
Audience | Teenagers and young adults, with a wide range of users across various age groups. | Specifically designed for children, offering a safer, more controlled environment for younger users. |
Content | User-generated content. Users can create, share, and discover a vast array of short-form videos. | Focuses on educational and creative content, encouraging children to engage with challenges and projects related to science, art, music, etc. |
Interactivity | Allows users to comment, like, share, and participate in challenges or trends, fostering high engagement and community. | Allows for user interaction through likes and comments, with features tailored to foster a positive community. Emphasizes creativity and learning. |
Safety Concerns | Open nature and algorithm-driven content discovery can lead to exposure to inappropriate content, privacy issues, and interactions with strangers. Offers safety features and parental controls, but requires vigilant monitoring. | High emphasis on safety with strict content moderation and privacy controls to protect young users. Designed to minimize online risks. |
Educational Value | While educational content is available, it coexists with a wide range of other content, making it a mixed bag in terms of educational value. | Built to provide educational value, making it a platform where children can learn new concepts, explore interests, and develop creative skills. |
Ultimately, you get to choose what your child can use and we hope this guide helps you make an informed decision. Are you using these or other social media apps for kids? Let us know in the comments what's working for you and your children.
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