TikTok, the popular short-form video app, is making some changes in response to concerns about age-inappropriate content. Starting today, users will be required to be at least 18 years old to go live on the app. TikTok is also introducing a new “adults only” category for live streams that might be risque or graphic in nature. And finally, the app will offer new keyword filtering options for live comments.
These changes come after months of criticism from parents and child advocates, who say that TikTok exposes kids to inappropriate content. In December, a group of US senators sent a letter to TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, expressing concerned about the app’s “collection of personal data on American children.” And last month, two US lawsuits were filed alleging that TikTok illegally collected data on minors without their consent.
TikTok has responded to these concerns by saying that it is committed to protecting user privacy and safety. The company says that it has a team of moderators who review all content before it is posted, and that it takes immediate action if they find anything that violates our terms of service.
It’s good to see TikTok taking steps to protect younger users from inappropriate content. The new age restrictions and keyword filtering options will help make sure that kids are only seeing appropriate content on the app. But it’s also important for parents to monitor their child’s activity on any social media platform, including TikTok. By doing so, they can ensure that their kids are using social media in a safe and responsible way.
