Supporting Teens' Digital Journey: Insights from TikTok

At TikTok, we understand the challenges that parents and guardians face in supporting their teens' digital journey. It can be overwhelming to keep up with evolving trends and new platforms, and discussing online safety with teens can seem daunting.

We also recognize the importance of listening to teens and valuing their voices. To simplify things for caregivers, we have collaborated with teens and online youth safety experts at Internet Matters to expand our Family Pairing feature. This feature provides parents and guardians with insights on the support that teens truly value from the trusted adults in their lives.

Parents or guardians who are already linked to their teen's account via Family Pairing will receive a notification to learn more about the support that teens want and their suggestions on approaching conversations about digital literacy and safety. Additionally, any new parent or caregiver who enables Family Pairing will receive these insights upon signing up.

The support that teens would like from caregivers as they navigate their online experience includes:

Help me understand the rules: Teens don't expect adults to be experts on every platform, but they appreciate support in setting up their accounts and understanding privacy and safety settings. They also believe that parents should not be afraid to set boundaries.
Be available to chat: Teens want trusted adults to show interest in their digital lives and acknowledge the importance of the online world to them. Being available to chat and initiating conversations is crucial.
Don't panic when things go wrong: When a teen comes to a trusted adult for help, it is important not to panic. Teens may feel vulnerable, scared, embarrassed, or upset, so it is essential to express gratitude for their trust, listen without blame, ask questions, and focus on finding solutions.
Trust me: Teens understand that trust needs to be earned and expect adult oversight. However, they also believe that as they grow older, they should be given greater autonomy. Building trust involves ensuring that teens know how to navigate platforms safely and feel comfortable coming to their parents when things go wrong.
Respect my privacy: Balancing a teenager's expectation of privacy with their safety is challenging both online and offline. It can be difficult when a teen asks their parents not to follow them on a platform. While it is natural to worry, it is important to respect their need for space to hang out with friends without constant monitoring.

CEO of Internet Matters, Carolyn Bunting (MBE), commends TikTok for involving young people in conversations about internet safety. She emphasizes the importance of ongoing discussions between parents and children about their digital lives and believes that the insights provided by teens in this initiative are a great starting point.

In conclusion, TikTok is committed to supporting parents and guardians in their role as they navigate their teens' online experiences. By collaborating with teens and online youth safety experts, we aim to provide valuable insights and guidance to caregivers, fostering a safer and more positive digital environment for young people.