Using social media is an easy way to build your reputation and become an influential voice. But you might not realize that you are exposing yourself to the risk of addiction if you use too much. Below are five tips to help you stay safe while using social media.
Addictive qualities
Despite President Donald Trump’s efforts to outlaw TikTok in the US, the app remains a bona fide sensation. In fact, the company’s profits spiked 93% last fiscal year to $19 billion. While that’s no doubt a boon for TikTok’s shareholders, it’s not without its share of controversy. The company has been accused of censoring user-generated content and harvesting user data. It’s also been linked to national security concerns. In fact, the federal government has been threatening to ban TikTok for some time.
TikTok also has the honor of being the first company to be investigated by the FBI for suspected criminal activity. The company has also been the subject of a number of media reports highlighting the dangers of social media use by young children. The company allegedly marketed challenge videos to children, persuading them to participate. During one such campaign, a 10-year-old girl died after attempting the TikTok challenge. The app also has an algorithm allowing it to tailor content to its user base. This doesn’t mean that users will be viewing your content, though. Besides, it isn’t uncommon for users to be younger than the content they watch.
TikTok has a large user base, with more than 1 billion monthly users. The app boasts an algorithm that tracks user data and tracks their interests. It also allows for sensitive content to be published. In short, TikTok is a mashup of Facebook, YouTube, Vine, and Instagram. It’s also a great place to watch videos if you’re in a mood for a laugh.
TikTok is not the only video sharing app to make the list of “fun to watch.” Chinese equivalent Douyin also made the cut. While some of the features of TikTok are undoubtedly gimmicky, it’s easy to see why they’ve been able to garner such a large following. As more and more kids flock to social media, parents need to be on guard. With that in mind, you’ll need to keep an eye out for the aforementioned “fun to watch” videos. The best way to do that is to limit your child’s access to the app and to monitor their activity online.
Data collection
Despite the popularity of Tiktok, many users and lawmakers are concerned about the app’s privacy practices. Tiktok parent Bytedance has been accused of spying on users and collecting their data without their consent. There have been accusations of Tiktok users’ private information being shipped to China. The company has also been accused of selling the data it collects to advertisers.
While Tiktok says it does not collect precise GPS location information, it does collect a large amount of other data. The company has a “keylogging” feature that allows it to read data from a user’s phone. The company uses keystroke patterns for anti-fraud and spam purposes, but it is unclear what other information is collected.
The company’s privacy policy doesn’t detail the specifics of how it collects user data. The policy does say it is working to improve the user experience. However, it doesn’t address the fact that Tiktok’s employees in China have access to the data.
The Federal Trade Commission recently slapped Tiktok with a $6 million fine for collecting user data. In response, Tiktok announced a new privacy policy. The policy doesn’t explain what data Tiktok collects, but it does say the company will seek consent before collecting biometric data. This includes things like voiceprints and keystroke patterns. The company also says it isn’t subject to Chinese law.
Tiktok’s parent company, Bytedance, is a Chinese technology company. Bytedance has a considerable amount of influence in China. It can access everything from a user’s phone hardware to network information. It can also read messages sent by a user. It’s not clear whether Bytedance has the same privacy practices as Tiktok, but it seems unlikely.
The US Constitution limits the power of the government, but it is clear that Western governments are trying to control social media platforms. This is why Tiktok and other apps are under intense scrutiny.
Tiktok has not responded to NPR’s request for comment. However, the company has admitted to collecting data in the US and Singapore. The company is currently negotiating a contract with CFIUS to address the issue.
Censorship accusations
Several high-ranking US officials have questioned TikTok’s role in censoring political content. TikTok is a video-sharing app owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance. The company has faced allegations of data misuse and censorship in recent months. TikTok has also been criticized for its community guidelines. The guidelines explicitly ban content that criticizes policies, world leaders, and social systems. They also allow for shadow banning of controversial topics.
In September, The Washington Post and Buzzfeed published articles questioning TikTok’s censorship of politically sensitive content. The articles said that TikTok had locked out an American user for opposing the detainment of Uyghur Muslims in China. The company responded by locking out 2,406 devices at the same time. The user was unaware that their information had been handed over to law enforcement.
TikTok has vowed to make changes to the company’s business practices and security measures. They have also issued an apology and pledged to hire an additional 4,000 censors. The company has also stated that it will store user data outside of China.
TikTok has been accused of shadow banning, permitting Chinese authorities to monitor users’ locations, and allowing the Chinese Communist Party to shape users’ worldviews. They have also censored videos addressing oppression and criticism of Chinese government policies.
The controversy arose after a viral video was posted by New Jersey teenager Feroza Aziz, criticizing the Chinese government. In the video, Aziz calls out China’s treatment of Muslims. Aziz posted the video on her TikTok account. Upon her account being banned, she created a new one. She later posted a tutorial for longer eyelashes.
TikTok’s community guidelines allow for shadow banning and censorship of content that is deemed too controversial. They also limit the reach of content aimed at disabled people and those who are overweight. TikTok’s guidelines explicitly ban discussions of world leaders, social systems, and political policies.
TikTok has also been accused of censoring political content, particularly during protests in Hong Kong. While other social media platforms covered the protests, TikTok only covered playful videos. Some protest hashtags, such as #hongkong, autocompleted in the TikTok system.
Addiction potential
Using social media is a great way to stay connected with friends and family, but it can also be highly addictive. Among teens, the Addiction Center estimates that 27% of children spend three hours or more a day on social media.
Teens become accustomed to checking their social media accounts, and when they stop, they feel out of sorts. It’s important to understand the addiction potential of social media for teenagers, and the effects it can have on their brains. In fact, researchers have found that social media can affect adolescents’ developing brains in several ways.
One study found that adolescents who regularly use social media from an early age are more likely to have lower levels of empathy and have a poor body image. They have also been found to have a worse social anxiety in groups. This leads them to develop problematic social media habits.
In addition, social media platforms have algorithms that track user interactions. This means that they can recommend content to users that they believe will keep them on the platform as long as possible. This is similar to the way slot machines work.
Researchers have also found that adolescents who regularly use social media are more likely to develop problems with their self-esteem and interpersonal relationships. They also have higher rates of depression.
There are some protective features on TikTok for younger users. Users can set age-appropriate privacy settings, and TikTok will remind them to stop using the app. It also has a parental control feature that lets parents monitor their kids’ activities on the site.
As with other social media platforms, TikTok may be addictive. The content on the site is brief and captivating, and it can easily be tempting for users to spend more time than they should. It is important for parents to be observant of their kids’ activities on the site. This means limiting screen time, and setting clear boundaries.
While no medication exists to help with social media addiction, behavioral therapy can help a person identify the triggers for their addiction and learn to deal with future cravings. It is also important to seek help if you think your child has a problem with social media.