Cyberchat #3
Dear Friend,
Safety settings are just as important on social media as they are on our physical devices. Recently, you may have seen what many are calling the “Tiktok Ban”, stemming from a major security concern regarding data collection pertaining to the app. While important to remain informed on what this means for Tiktok specifically, our personal information is always collected when creating a social media account. While social media opens up a world of human connection and content sharing, we must remain diligent to maintain our safety and secure our personal information.
With gratitude,
Jessica Bravo
SafetyNet® Bilingual Presenter
Social Media
Did you know there is an age minimum for creating a social media account? There is a legal reason for this. If a child under 13 years of age falsely reports their age and creates a social media account, they are not protected by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). COPPA makes it illegal for operators of websites or online services to collect personal information from a child under 13 years of age. According to this 2022 survey, 68 percent of pre-teens were using social media applications.
TikTok and Instagram are two of the most popular social media apps used today. TikTok, released in September 2016, is a popular app that allows users to create, watch, and share videos shot on mobile devices or webcams. Instagram was created in 2010 and purchased by Meta (formerly the Facebook company) in 2012. Instagram is primarily used for sharing photos and videos. Did you know 66,000 photos are shared on Instagram every minute?
TikTok
With just over 1.5 billion monthly active users, TikTok is the fifth most popular social media platform in the world. Filled with a diverse range of entertaining content: dancing, art, cooking, animals, and even news, its predictive algorithm cultivates a For You Page (FYP) that is tailored to the users main interests. Catchy video content is TikTok’s specialty but many apps have replicated this model.
If you have a public account, anyone can view and share your content whether they have an account or not. Your content may appear in search engines, blogs, social media posts, and news sites. However, you can choose to make your posts available to everyone, restrict them to friends or followers, or make them private. Direct Messages are available to users 16 years old and above. Age is self-reported. Parents can exercise control over direct messages for linked teen accounts through TikTok’s Family Pairing feature.
Instagram is the second most-visited social media platform in the country. In August 2020, in an effort to replicate TikTok, Instagram launched their “Reels” feature. Three years later, Instagram “Threads” was launched as an alternative to the newly renamed “X” (formerly Twitter). Unlike X, where you have to build up your follower base from scratch, Instagram Threads automatically opens with your existing followers. Users can send disappearing photos or videos via direct messaging. However, these “disappearing” messages can still be replayed or saved via screenshot.
If you’re over 16 when you create an Instagram account, your profile is public by default but you can choose to make your account private at any time. Keep in mind that age is self-reported and not verified by Instagram. If your account is public, anyone can like or comment on your photos and videos. If you want to prevent specific people from liking or commenting on your posts, you can block them. Regardless of whether your account is private or public, you can receive group chat message requests from strangers. One way to prevent this is by restricting who can add you to groups.
Resources
- What is the TikTok ban?
- Instagram Safety Guide for Parents
- TikTok Teen privacy and safety settings
- Introducing Threads: A New Way to Share With Text
- What is Instagram’s Vanish Mode?
OurPact’s App Rules
OurPact’s App Rules feature offers a dynamic and intuitive solution to manage your child’s app engagement effectively. Whether it’s the ever-scrollable TikTok or the photo frenzy of Instagram, parents can now seamlessly decide which apps are available to their children and when, making screen time safer and more appropriate without the fuss.
OurPact’s App Rules Provides Parents With:
• Flexible Control: Choose which apps are Always Allowed, Blocked by Schedule, or Always Blocked, giving you tailored control over how your child interacts with their devices.
• Deep Insights: Easily review details about each app—like its function, store rating, and age recommendation—right from your dashboard.
• Real-Time Updates: Get immediate notifications when new apps are downloaded, allowing for prompt management decisions. Read more
SafetyNet: Smart Cyber Choices® is a collaborative program of the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SD-ICAC) and the San Diego Police Foundation. It is designed to help kids, parents, educators, and concerned adults learn how to keep kids safe online.