Is TikTok safe for kids? This question is at the heart of a new report focusing on children’s rights on the popular social media platform. In a world where digital spaces are increasingly intertwined with our daily lives, understanding the impact of these platforms on minors is crucial. Below, we delve into the key findings and implications of this recent investigation.
TikTok’s Privacy Policy Concerns:
TikTok’s Privacy Policy Concerns: Recently, the Garante, an authority on privacy, issued a formal warning to TikTok. The concern was regarding a proposed update to TikTok’s privacy policy that potentially violated EU privacy regulations. The worry was that the update could expose minors to inappropriate “personalized” ads, compromising their safety on the platform.
Fairplay’s Research on Social Media and Minors:
Fairplay, a non-profit organization advocating for the end of marketing to children, conducted research on the default settings and terms & conditions provided to minors by TikTok, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Their findings revealed a concerning inconsistency in privacy and safety protections for children across different markets, including the U.S., Brazil, Indonesia, and the U.K. TikTok, in particular, was identified as the “worst performing platform” in this regard.
Key Findings of the “Global platforms, partial protections” Report:
The report titled Global platforms, partial protections: Design discriminations on social media platforms, highlighted significant disparities in the experiences of minors across various countries. The level of protection they receive varies greatly depending on their geographic location.
Call for a Universal “Safety By Design” Approach:
In response to these findings, nearly 40 child safety and digital rights advocacy groups from 11 countries co-signed a letter to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. They urged TikTok to adopt a “Safety By Design” and “Children’s Rights by Design” approach globally. This call aims to push for higher standard regulations worldwide, not just in Europe.
The Discrepancy in TikTok’s Design Experiences:
The report pointed out notable differences in the “age-appropriate” design experiences offered by TikTok. For instance, while the default setting is “private” in the U.K. and certain EU countries, in other regions, minors are defaulted to public accounts at the age of 17.
Language and Age Requirement Clarity Issues:
TikTok also faces criticism for not providing terms of service in the native languages of young users in various non-European markets. Moreover, the platform has been inconsistent in communicating minimum age requirements, leading to confusion among minors.
Global Inequities in Online Safety for Children:
The report emphasizes that children outside of Europe, especially in TikTok’s largest markets like the United States, Indonesia, and Brazil, deserve the same age-appropriate experiences as European minors. There is a marked disparity in exposure to manipulative design between these regions and Europe, where legal frameworks like the U.K.’s Age Appropriate Design Code and the GDPR protect young users.
As digital platforms continue to shape the lives of young users, ensuring their safety and privacy becomes imperative. The findings of the Fairplay report shed light on the urgent need for comprehensive, globally consistent safety measures for children on platforms like TikTok. As we monitor ongoing legal proceedings and investigations, it is clear that both the digital industry and legislators must take decisive action to protect the wellbeing of minors online.
Stay Updated: We at iubenda are committed to keeping you informed on this evolving issue. Follow our updates for the latest developments in child safety on digital platforms.
