According to The Sun, the social media app, Tik Tok, which is used to create and share short videos with special effects, is used mostly by children under the age of 16 but actress Bonnie Mbuli has banned her children from using it.
Making the revelation on Twitter on Tuesday, the actress said that the app required a lot of vigilance.
"My kids are banned from that tik tok app, the level of vigilance required from parents in this Information age is higher grade [sic]," she wrote.
And when followers asked for further explanation, Bonnie explained how unsafe the internet was.
"Children are impressionable, they immediately assume that because it's on the internet, it must be cool. Im not always there to monitor what they’re exposed to so I'd rather keep it tidy and safe, [sic]" she said.
"I’ve repeatedly come across concerning content that kids are exposed to without needing to even follow those individuals, even though it's on the 'discover' feed, kids are not discerning enough to protect themselves from catching damaging strays," she continued.
Although there are many dangers to children using the app such as online sexual predators and paedophiles, NBC news has reported that the Tik Tok app can be a creative social outlet for children and listed 6 ways in which parents could keep their children who use the app safe.
- Parents should watch out for inappropriate content
- Parents should limit the number of people who can access their children’s video by setting their child’s account to private.
- Parents should teach their children how to stay safe online
- Parents should beware of bullying and monitor the comments on their children’s videos
- Parents should monitor screen time
- Parents should check the app out themselves
