TikTok: Top tips from the UK's biggest star
- Published
We know you love TikTok but do you really know everything you NEED to know about the app?
In case you've been under a rock for the past year or so, TikTok has over 1 billion users worldwide and is the fastest growing application around.
Just like YouTube, some of the most successful TikTok users have millions of people following them.
Take Holly H for example. She's the UK's biggest TikTok user and she's got almost 14 million followers on the app!
Here are five things you need to know about TikTok and how to use it safely.
Holly H: "It's important to be yourself"
WATCH: Holly H gives her advice on how to be the best TikTok user
As we mentioned above, Holly H is the UK's most popular TikTok user with almost 14 million followers.
We got in touch with Holly to ask her what she thinks are the most important ways to get the most out of TikTok and stay safe in the process.
More about staying safe online
There's an age limit
You have to be 13 years old to be on TikTok.
When you sign up to TikTok it asks you to put in your age. If you are under 13, you shouldn't be on the app.
The makers of the app think you're only old enough to see the content once you're 13 or over and the age range is in place because there are things on TikTok that aren't appropriate for everyone.
TikTok has told Newsround that if they think people are lying about their age their account will be cancelled.
It's more popular than you can imagine
Even though TikTok has only been around for two years, it's already managed to get one billion users worldwide.
The most popular stars on the app, Lena and Lisa, have 32.5 million followers.
It's now available in 75 languages worldwide.
Top tips on staying safe on TikTok
- THINK ABOUT YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINT: Something you find funny now could impact on your future because things stay on the internet forever. Always think about that before you post.
- AVOID IDENTIFIABLE OBJECTS: Never film anywhere which can give away your location. Don't post wearing your school uniform or anywhere where a landmark can give away where you live
- REPORT INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT: If you see anything which you think shouldn't be there, ask your parents to report it. TikTok will see that and remove it.
- SET YOUR ACCOUNT TO PRIVATE: This means only people who you want to see your content will see it. You'll be able to do this by clicking on the 'privacy and settings' option.
Source: National Online Safety
You can block and filter comments
WATCH: How to be a great TikTok user according to Connor - he's got 500k followers
If you're ever worried about comments or who's seeing your TikTok account there are lots of options you can take.
You can make your account private, filter who sees your posts and even restrict the comments on your page.
Tiktok say they've also brought in a new feature called "filter comments". This lets users filter words they would not like to see in their comment section.
You can add as many words as you like to this banned list, meaning you'll never see them.
TikTok is a very fun and creative space for young people. To make sure you're safe on the app, remember to check that your location isn't visible and only have conversations with people you know.
Carmel Glassbrook, UK Safer Internet Centre
TikTok has been in trouble in America - here's why
On February 27, TikTok was given record fine over its handling of children's data in America.
According to the group in charge of watching over businesses in America, the business which TikTok bought - an music app Musical.ly - had knowingly allowed content from underage users to be on its site.
This means they had data about people who were too young to use the app and they were ordered to delete it.
Now, users in America have to verify their age on the app. This ruling only applies to America.
But, TikTok says there are already loads of mechanisms in place to protect kids in the UK.
On the app store, for example, TikTok has a 12+ rating. Parents can block the app if they want to.
TikTok say they have a moderation team going over content and they try to block inappropriate users and content where possible.
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