TikTok is now under investigation by several US State Attorneys who are trying to determine if the app violated state consumer protection laws.
Social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram have been under the spotlight with regard to child protection laws.
The AGs are seeking to find out the short video app‘s impact on the mental health of young users.
The coalition leading the probe includes AGs from California, Minnesota, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee and Vermont.
NEWS: We’re launching a nationwide investigation into TikTok.
Our children are growing up in the age of social media, with a devastating toll on their mental health.
We intend to find out what TikTok knows about these mental health effects. https://t.co/lRC0nYCfKc
— Rob Bonta (@AGRobBonta) March 2, 2022
No social media company should put views and likes over the safety and well-being of children. We need to protect our kids. That’s why we’re co-leading a nationwide investigation into TikTok. https://t.co/MGVzagIWo2
— Acting AG Matthew J. Platkin (@NewJerseyOAG) March 2, 2022
My job is to help Minnesotans of all ages live with dignity, safety, and respect. That’s is why I’ve joined a bipartisan, nationwide investigation into the harms that using TikTok may cause young users, and what TikTok knew about those harms. https://t.co/1XKcCFMQVx
— Attorney General Keith Ellison (@AGEllison) March 3, 2022
NEW: My office is co-leading a bipartisan, nationwide investigation into TikTok. This investigation is about protecting kids and supporting parents.
You can read our full release here⬇️ https://t.co/7kYjvnEAPP
— Vermont AG Donovan (@VTAttorneyGen) March 2, 2022
During his state of the union address on Tuesday, U.S President Joe Biden called for a ban on targeted advertising to children on social media.
“As children and teens already grapple with issues of anxiety, social pressure, and depression, we cannot allow social media to further harm their physical health and mental well-being,” said Maura Healey, Massachusetts AG.
The investigation will be looking at techniques TikTok uses to boost engagement, increase the time spent in the app and frequency of usage.
TikTok on its end said that they look forward to providing information on the many safety and privacy protections the platform has for teens.
There are a few settings you can enable including:
Enable Restricted Mode for Children
If you are a parent whose child is has a TikTok account, then you’ll need to enable this feature. This mode stops inappropriate content from appearing on your child’s for you page. you can add a passcode so that the setting is not disabled by the child.
Profile > Settings > Security and Privacy > Digital Wellbeing > Restricted Mode
Enable Family Safety Tools
TikTok allows you as a parent to have remote access to your child’s TikTok account. Once your account is paired with theirs, you can control their screen time, limit the content they can view, manage their privacy and safety settings and choose whether your child can have a private or public account.
Profile > Settings > Security and Privacy > Family Pairing
Tech Habits to Adopt in 2022
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Here’s how to protect your privacy and stay secure on:
- Signal
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- Google, Microsoft, Apple, Linkedin, Yahoo, and Amazon
