TikTok is the new problem and I don't know how to handle it

Jan 14·1 min read

My 14yo has TikTok and I know I'm late to the party being worried about it now. But the algorithm is AGGRESSIVE. She's scrolling through dance videos one minute and then suddenly it's serving her anxiety content, ED tips (disguised), and weird beauty standard stuff. I tried talking to her about it and she just says "I know what's real, dad." But does she though? Anyone have actual strategies that don't involve just banning it?

5 comments359 views

Comments(5)

RRob K.RegularJan 14

Look into their privacy settings at least. You can restrict who comments, what gets recommended, all that. Not a perfect solution but beats doing nothing.

DDanny K.RegularJan 15

Same boat here. My 13yo is on it and I realized I have no idea what she's actually watching. Started asking her to show me her FYP and honestly it's helped. Some of it's actually pretty funny but yeah the algorithm definitely pushes some weird stuff.

SSam F.RegularJan 16

The thing that helped me was setting screen time limits through the phone settings, not through the app. Kids can't override it that way. Also mandatory phone-free time after 9pm in our house now.

BBrandonRegularJan 14

Honestly the fact that you're worried about it now instead of never means you're ahead of most parents. Just stay involved and ask questions about what they're watching.

RRyanRegularJan 16

I went down the rabbit hole trying to understand TikTok and ended up getting recommended the same 3 dance videos for weeks. The algorithm is wild but also kind of stupid sometimes.