Today, child safety goes beyond physical protection, especially during challenging times such as war. Information and cyber security are becoming no less important aspects of our lives. In today’s digital world, children actively use social networks and mobile applications, which makes the issue of their safety on the Internet extremely relevant. One such popular app is TikTok, which recently announced new restrictions aimed at protecting teenagers.
Innovation in TikTok
TikTok, a platform that has gained popularity among children and young people, reported about the introduction of age restrictions for some beauty filters. According to these innovations, teenagers under the age of 18 will no longer have access to filters that change facial features to a degree that cannot be achieved even with makeup. This solution does not apply to filters with a comic effect, such as adding rabbit ears or dog noses. The changes are planned to be implemented in the coming weeks.
The decision was a response to a report by the non-profit organization Internet Matters, which investigates the issue of children’s safety on the Internet. The report states that beauty filters can create a distorted worldview in which ideal images become the norm. In turn, this contributes to significant social pressure on children, lowers their self-esteem and can make them see their natural face as imperfect or even ugly.
“There is no finish line when it comes to safety, and we will continue to learn from our community, collaborate with experts, and strive to do better. If our users don’t feel safe, they won’t be on TikTok, and the platform simply won’t be.” as before” — said the head of TikTok’s European public policy department, Christine Hahn.
Why it is important for Ukrainian children
During the war, many Ukrainian children use social networks not only for entertainment, but also to maintain contact with friends, express themselves, and even seek solace. However, together with the opportunities of the platform, there are also risks: from informational vulnerability to the impact on the psycho-emotional state. The implementation of TikTok’s restrictions aims to minimize such negative effects and provide a healthier digital space for teenagers.
Fighting against violations of age restrictions
Another important initiative of TikTok was strengthening the system to block users under the age of 13, because this is the minimum age for using the platform. The company announced the start of testing new automated systems that will help detect attempts to bypass age restrictions. For example, if a user’s account is deleted due to a violation, they can file an appeal if they believe it was done in error.
It is important to note that every year, TikTok removes about six million accounts that do not meet age requirements worldwide. This demonstrates the company’s seriousness in combating violations and its commitment to creating a safe environment for younger users.
The globality of changes
The changes were announced at the European TikTok Security Forum in Dublin and published in the European news section of the platform. It is currently unknown whether these restrictions will be implemented globally, but it is clear that the issue of child safety is a priority for the company.
The digital safety of Ukrainian children is a key issue in today’s world. The introduction of new restrictions on TikTok shows a positive example of how large companies can influence the creation of a healthy digital space. However, it is important to remember that information and cyber security starts in the family: parents should be aware of their children’s online activity and teach them how to use digital technologies responsibly. TikTok is taking its step towards safety, but we should all join forces to ensure the safety and well-being of our children in the digital world.
