TikTok: All Under-16s' Accounts Made Private (bbc.com) 21
TikTok users aged under 16 will have their accounts automatically set to private, as the app introduces a series of measures to improve child safety. The BBC reports: Approved followers only can comment on videos from these accounts. Users will also be prevented from downloading any videos created by under-16s. TikTok said it hoped the changes would encourage young users to "actively engage in their online privacy journey." "We hope to inspire them to take an active role and make informed decisions," head of privacy Elaine Fox said. Those aged between 13 and 15 will be able to approve "friends" for comments and choose whether to make videos public. But those accounts will also not be "suggested" to other users on the app.
The accounts of 16- and 17-year-olds will prevent others downloading their videos - but the youngsters will have the ability to turn off this restriction. In addition, TikTok is changing this age group's default settings to allow only their chosen friends to "duet" alongside them - the name given to a facility that allows a user to record themselves in a clip then played adjacent to an earlier recording, so they can be watched simultaneously. Users will not be allowed to duet with clips made by under-16s.
The accounts of 16- and 17-year-olds will prevent others downloading their videos - but the youngsters will have the ability to turn off this restriction. In addition, TikTok is changing this age group's default settings to allow only their chosen friends to "duet" alongside them - the name given to a facility that allows a user to record themselves in a clip then played adjacent to an earlier recording, so they can be watched simultaneously. Users will not be allowed to duet with clips made by under-16s.
Not in the US (Score:2, Interesting)
All the world in a glass.... (Score:3, Informative)
Minors (persons under 18) can't enter into contracts, legally, so all of this is just a bunch of noise.
I wonder how much of a world there is OUTSIDE the US...
Re: (Score:2)
The "Germany" guy is going to pop in here an lecture you on why this can't happen in Germany, either.
Re: All the world in a glass.... (Score:2)
German guy here. :)
Guilty as charged.
Re: All the world in a glass.... (Score:3)
... yet have almost always the same rules regarding minors and contracts.
Re: (Score:1)
Don't get me wrong I'm all for ridiculing Americans lack of the outside world (outside America, duh!).
In case you care Sweden have the age of 18 too. Swedes can't even buy alcohol until they are 20. Can't even start driving lessons until the age of 18. There's been talk about changing that law and increase the number since brain development doesn't complete until around 25. People got very upset about that proposal.
It's very illegal for a person under the age of 18 to sign a contract. Companies will get fin
Couple things there (Score:3)
First, this doesn't have anything to do with a contract.
TikTok is limiting the accounts, period. They aren't asking the kids to agree to it.
Secondly, a minor is often allowed to disavow a contract they have entered into. That is, after they have formed a contract, they can later back out in many cases. That's very much not the same thing as "they can't enter into a contract".
Suppose I said "you can't buy anything at Walmart".
Obviously that isn't true.
What *is* true is that after you buy something at Walmar
Social Media is Dead (Score:2, Funny)
Just look at what it's done to the old people!
Riiiight (Score:2)
Vause Internet users are known for being *totally* honest with the data they enter! Especially teenagers!
Are you over 18?
[ Yes ] [ No(bodyEverClickedThisITheHistoryOfTheUniverse) ]
*Cause! (Score:2)
Not Vegan*retch*sauce.
Re: (Score:2)
It's less about that and more about CYA. By doing this, TikTok has basically said "Well, all users by default have their account set to private. If Little Johnny lied about his age or set his is account to public on his own free will, we can't protect against that. So the fact you found Johnny's naked dance videos isn't our fault - we did our best at protecting his privacy he obviously didn't want.".
Kids are dumb and TikTok is making sure that they can say they took reasonable precautions when it inevitably
So... (Score:2)
They only get to Sext other teens that they know then?
Can they flip their account back to public?
Bananas (Score:3, Insightful)