The world of social media is a place where funny memes, striking photos, and daily updates take place. But is it safe? Two of the most popular apps are Instagram and TikTok, and plenty of children are using them. 

These two social media platforms are ideal places to see engaging content. But “Is Instagram or TikTok safer?” is a common question that circulates. Online safety is absolutely crucial, so knowing all the facts is super important. Shall we uncover the features of both and make an informed decision? Let’s get into it!

How Old Do You Have To Be To Have TikTok and Instagram?

We all know how much everyone of all ages loves social media apps. But how old do you have to be to have TikTok and Instagram?

According to Instagram, “Anyone aged 13 and over can create an account by registering an email address and selecting a username.” So, the teens of the world will be happy! 

Similar to Instagram, all TikTok users are required to be 13 years or older. TikTok’s community guidelines express the importance of this! They state that they’ll ban any account that fails to comply with these rules.

Is Instagram Safe for Kids? Should They Use TikTok?

Is Instagram safe for kids? Parents wonder about Instagram and TikTok and how safe the platforms actually are. The good news is that restrictions are in place, and parents do have the option to have some control. The answer to the question all comes down to the strengths and weaknesses of the app’s privacy features. Fear not! We’ll get to that.

Instagram Parental Controls: Do They Exist? 

Does Instagram have parental controls? The good news is that Instagram parental controls actually do exist! What are children doing on their phones? Well, you can use parental controls to your advantage for peace of mind. 

Technically, the app doesn’t have any built-in features for parents especially. But there are steps you can take! Here are some examples:

1. Switch Their Account To Private

By default, all new Instagram accounts begin as public, so making that switch is a good idea. You can do this in settings, which means that only approved users can follow and interact with the account. 

2. Remove Unwanted Accounts 

You can go through the “Followers” and “Following” sections on their account and remove anyone. You can either unfollow them, restrict them, or block them altogether. This means they can’t interact with the account anymore. 

3. Disable Public Messages 

In settings, you can actually turn off the option to receive messages from people you’re not following. This protects your child from getting any inappropriate messages or unwanted remarks. If you’re filtering through the followers and following list, you’ll know the people who can actively send a message. 

TikTok Parental Controls: Do They Exist? 

Now, let’s turn our attention to TikTok and explore some of the app’s security settings. According to HubSpot, TikTok had over 1 billion monthly active users in 2021, and this number is only increasing! Because of this, it’s completely normal to wonder about safety on the app! Here are some parental controls: 

1. Screen Time Management 

In “Settings” and “Digital Wellbeing,” you can use the screen time management feature to set a time limit. This helps to make sure that kids aren’t just spending hours scrolling through videos; it’s not healthy! For kids under 18, they can have up to 60 minutes of screen time to enjoy scrolling and liking! Children over the age of 13 need to enter a password to get 30 more minutes. But, if they’re under 13, the parent has to enter a code to allow more time. 

2. Use Restricted Mode

With restricted mode, users can filter the type of content that comes through to them. So, kids won’t see any mature, age-restricted, or inappropriate content. You can turn this on in settings in the “Digital Wellbeing” section. You’ll just need to set a password, and you can limit the type of content your child sees.

3. Use Family Safety Mode or Family Pairing 

TikTok also gives parents the option of pairing their own accounts with their children’s. This links up the settings so you can keep an eye on what your child’s app is showing them. If your child wants to tamper with the settings you’ve set, by pairing the accounts, you’ll see!

TikTok vs. Instagram: Which One Is Safer? 

So, that big question still lingers, “Which is safer, TikTok or Instagram?” Let’s compare the two! Of course, we’ve already discussed some of the parental controls you can use. But what difference do they make in terms of your child’s safety? Let’s find out and look at TikTok Vs. Instagram:

Instagram: The Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths: 

• The app has reporting tools. If a user acts inappropriately on the app, Instagram has features that allow you to report them easily. You can actually report entire accounts, negative comments, or posts to flag them on Instagram. This gives you more control over who your child is interacting with on social media. 
• You can use the privacy controls to your advantage. You can block, mute, or restrict accounts so that you don’t need to deal with anyone you don’t want to. Plus, you can make a private account for your child and filter through potential followers. 
• Content moderation. Instagram actually works itself to ensure all content on the app is as safe and appropriate as possible. So, before your child even sees it, Instagram will (hopefully) remove graphic or harmful content. 

Weaknesses:

• No built-in parental controls. Technically, the only way you have control over your child’s account is by accessing their settings. This makes it a bit more of a challenge to oversee your child’s activity on the app. 
• Bullying and harassment issues are common. Unfortunately, Instagram is one of the worst platforms for online bullying and harassment, and this is important to remember! According to DoSomething.org, “Instagram is the social media site where most young people report experiencing cyberbullying.” They state that 42% have experienced harassment on the app. 

TikTok: The Strengths and Weaknesses 

Strengths:

• There are parental controls in place. On TikTok, parents can rest assured that they have control or an insight into their child’s usage of the app. From features like Screen Time Management to Family Pairing, the app caters to parents looking to protect their children. 
• The app takes an interest in safety. The app is all about safety and offers safety tips at the TikTok Safety Centre. So, parents and children can learn how to stay as safe as possible on the app. 
• The algorithm helps to filter out harmful content. This helps to prevent the spread of any content that is not fit for children or even adults! 

Weaknesses: 

• Scams do happen. TikTok is known to have scammers circulating the app, so vigilance is important. From romance scams to the promise of more followers, there are people with bad intentions on the app. For kids, this is a little bit more of a concern as they’re sometimes hard to spot. 
• TikTok can affect mental health. Of course, all kinds of social media platforms can do this. But TikTok’s algorithm shows users more of what they think they’ll like. For example, a child might watch a few videos about weight loss. The user will then face a constant stream of videos with similar content, which can be damaging. 

Both Instagram and TikTok strive to keep users as safe as possible, but vigilance is key! Both apps do their best to keep users as safe as possible. Plus, age restrictions help monitor younger children using the app. However, it’s clear that TikTok does have more options for parental controls, giving parents more power over their child’s use.

Final Thoughts: Is Instagram or TikTok Safer? 

Overall, when comparing the two social media channels, it’s clear that they both strive for safety. However, TikTok seems to have the most parental controls built into the app. Parents can use the built-in Screen Time Management and Family Pairing mode for more control.

However, the decision comes down to the individual person and preferences. Both apps have built-in features to filter through followers and flag or report any inappropriate accounts or harmful posts. So, try to stay up to date with any safety regulations, and keep privacy in mind at all times! Then, you and your child will enjoy using the app and staying as safe as possible!

Elevate Your Instagram Experience With snsflow.com 

Now we’ve explored the question, “Is Instagram or TikTok safer?” it’s time to take to the apps! With snsflow.com, we understand the importance of a significant following and how boosting your account can propel your success. At snsflow.com, we help you reach your goals and increase your followers, views, and likes quickly. Elevate your account and increase your network of followers today.