TikTok Update: Dangerous Viral Challenges & Age Restrictions

It’s popular. It’s uplifting. It’s creative. It’s entertaining. It can also be risky.

All these words equally describe TikTok, the wildly popular social network that allows teens to create and share videos and find critical connections during isolating times. So what makes TikTok both amazing and potentially risky at the same time? It isn’t the app itself but, rather, the way some kids choose to use it.

Several of those risky behaviors making headlines lately include the all-too-familiar topic of viral challenges. The secondary risk? Underage users’ common practice of bypassing TikTok’s age restrictions, which can put them in harm’s way. In 2020, TikTok classified more than a third of its 49 million daily users in the U.S. as being 14 years old or younger.

A recent webinar hosted by Cyberwise featuring Rick Andreoli, Editor-in-Chief at Parentology, and Pamela Rutledge, director of the Media Psychology Research Center, highlighted the risks of some of the latest challenges. (Listen to the full discussion here). Here are just a few of the many challenges parents should know about.

Popular TikTok Challenges

The blackout challenge. The draw to this challenge is somewhat new to TikTok but familiar in the online challenge realm. It involves users live-streaming themselves as they cut off their air supply to the point of losing consciousness. Sadly, this challenge recently had deadly consequences for a 10-year-old TikTok user, according to Newsweek reports. The incident prompted an outcry for the platform to ban users with unconfirmed ages.

Skullbreaker/trip jump challenge. TikTok users carry out this challenge in various ways, but one of the most common includes three friends side-by-side. As the video begins, everyone jumps or dances as pre-planned, only one kid is targeted to go down as the other two swipe the legs out from under them, causing either a face plant or a backward fall. This popular challenge has resulted in several medical emergencies.

The outlet or penny challenge. Fire officials have issued public cautions around this challenge, which involves sliding a penny into a partially plugged-in phone charger or cord. The goal? See who can record and post the biggest sparks or, yes, flames.

Coronavirus challenge. Here’s a challenge that thankfully didn’t gain too much traction before TikTok banned it. It was created by several “influencers” and encouraged TikTok users to post videos of themselves defying the Coronavirus by licking public objects — such as toilets and grocery store items.

TikTok Safety Basics  

• Oversee apps, add parental controls. TikTok advises parents to “oversee your teen’s internet use, including any apps they may download . . . the full TikTok experience is for users 13 and over . . . use parental controls to simply block our apps from your child’s phone.” (We couldn’t agree more, TikTok!)
• Adhere to TikTok age restrictions; explore options. Kids may view age restrictions as just another silly rule standing in the way of their fun. This is where you can talk about the very real dangers being reported and why the age restriction exists. Too, explore other connection options on TikTok designed to equip younger users. For instance, TikTok has an “under 13” section of the app that restricts access to mature content. Another option is to open a parent/child-owned TikTok account using the new Family Safety Mode. This will allow you to teach a younger child how to use the app safely — and talk about potential danger zones.
• Adjust Settings. Consider requiring your child to keep their account private (circle back to ensure it stays private). To make an account private, change the Settings for comments, duets, reactions, and messages to “friends” instead of “everyone.”
• Open a TikTok account. To gain a better understanding of the TikTok culture, open your own account and look around. Let your child know you have an account but think about refraining from following them or commenting — this is their hangout. A personal account allows you to monitor video content, friend groups, and comments, often where cyberbullying or other red flags tend to surface. This will give you the understanding, context, and specifics you need to talk with your child if needed. Remind them regularly where to report any issues.

A final reminder for parents is this: Challenge yourself to let go of the assumption that your child won’t try foolish things online. Smart kids also make unwise choices — a possibility that’s easily provoked in an environment where influencers, likes, and peer comments can disguise danger. It’s easy to forget that during the teen years, reason and evolving identity are at constant odds, which means emotion can suddenly commandeer logic. For parents, this means that by getting involved in your child’s digital world, you have the chance influence and guide them when they need it most.

To stay updated on all things McAfee and on top of the latest consumer and mobile security threats, follow @McAfee_Home  on Twitter, subscribe to our email, listen to our podcast Hackable?, and ‘Like’ us on Facebook.

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How 2020 Helped Parents Understand Their Kids’ Digital Lives

Over the last 12 months, technology has featured in our lives in a way I don’t think any of us would have predicted. Whether you were in lockdown, choosing to stay home to stay well or quite simply, out of other option – technology saved the day. It helped us work and learn from home, stay connected with friends and family, entertain ourselves, shop and essentially, live our lives.

For many parents, this was a real ‘aha’ moment. A moment when technology went from being an annoying distraction to incredibly critical to the functioning of our day to day lives. Of course, many of us had always considered technology to be useful to help us order groceries and check Facebook but to experience first-hand that technology meant life could go on during a worldwide pandemic was a real game changer.

2020 Forced Many Parents to Truly Get Involved in Their Kids Online World

Whether it was downloading video calling apps like Zoom or Facetime, setting up a Twitter account to get updates from the Health Department, using Google Doc to work collaboratively or experiencing what online gaming really is via a few sessions on the Xbox, 2020 means many parents had to get up to date, real fast! And you know what – that’s a good thing! I’ve had so many parents remark to me that they know finally understand why their kids are so enamoured with technology. There really is nothing like walking in someone’s shoes to experience their world!

I’m a big believer in parents taking the time to truly understand the world in which their kids exist. For years, I’ve advised parents to download and use the apps and games their kids play so they can understand the attraction and complexity of their kids’ digital life. Well, it may have taken a global pandemic, but I am delighted to report that, anecdotally at this stage, more parents are now embracing their kids’ online world.

Don’t Forget About Online Safety!

When we first become enamoured with something, we often enter the ‘honeymoon’ phase. As a married woman of 28 years, this was many years ago for me!! The honeymoon phase is when everything is wonderful and rosy, and negatives are not always considered. And our relationship with technology can be much the same. And I’ve been there – there’s nothing quite so wonderful as discovering a new app or piece of software and almost being joyous at just how transformational it could be for your life. And this often means we gloss over or even ignore the risks because we are in love!!!

Here’s What You Need to Know

So, as Cybermum, I’m here to cheer you on and pat you on the back for embracing and using new apps and software. Yes, I’m very proud! But I also want to share with you just a few steps that you need to take to ensure you are not taking on any unnecessary risks with your new favourite app. Here are my top tips:

1. Passwords
Every app, online account or piece of software needs it own individual password. Yes, I know that it is a real pain, but it is one of the most important things you will do to protect yourself online. I’m a big fan of password managers that not only generate the most incredibly complex passwords for each of your accounts but remember them for you. McAfee’s password manager, True Key, is a free option which has completely helped me manage my 80 plus collection of passwords!! Very grateful!

2. Software Updates
The main purpose of a software update is to protect the user from security threats. Yes, you may also get some new features and possibly have a glitch or 2 removed but it is all about the user’s safety. So, if you don’t update your software, it’s a little like leaving windows open when you go out. And the longer you leave between updates – the more windows you leave open!

So, automate these updates if you can or schedule them in your diary. Why not earmark the first day of the month to check and see what you need to download to protect yourself? And don’t forget about your operating system on your phone or laptop too!

3. Be Wi-Fi Wary
Dodgy wi-fi is where so many people come unstuck. Regardless of what app or software you are using, anything you share via unsecured wi-fi could be intercepted by a hacker. So, if you find yourself using wi-fi regularly, you might want to consider a Virtual Private Network or VPN. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel so anything you share via Wi-Fi cannot be intercepted. Genius, really! Check out McAfee’s Safe Connect for peace of mind.

So, please keep going! Keep exploring new ways technology can work for you in our new COVID world. But remember to take a break too. There is no doubt that technology has saved the day and has ensure we can all still function but there must be a balance too. So, walk the dog, play a board game or having a cuppa outside. Remember you manage the technology; it doesn’t manage you!

Till next time

Stay safe online.

Alex xx

To stay updated on all things McAfee and on top of the latest consumer and mobile security threats, follow @McAfee_Home  on Twitter, subscribe to our email, listen to our podcast Hackable?, and ‘Like’ us on Facebook.

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True Security Requires a Holistic Approach

Driving along the coast, I sometimes wonder what makes a boat reliably float. After all, a leak can sometimes cripple even the largest vessel. This seems to me like a fitting metaphor for our digital lives: there is a sea of potential danger around us, and always the chance of a leak. However, like shipbuilders, we know how to secure our devices and data as we traverse the digital landscape, combining ease of use and protection.

This is especially important when it comes to our privacy and personal information as we spend more time doing essential tasks online. Every time we give our information online, we give a puzzle piece that someone could potentially use to help access our more sensitive data. Just think about how much information can be gained with just your email address combined with your home address, birthday, or even your mother’s maiden name, much less your actual passwords, Social Security Number or PIN codes.

And while recent surveys have shown that consumers are very concerned about their privacy, nearly half feel that they cannot adequately protect their information. This may seem alarming, however, there are effective and easily accessible ways to better protect our identity online, with a holistic approach and the right set of tools.

What do we mean by holistic protection?

Studies show that people are more worried about having their personal information stolen than having their devices infected, probably because they have less control of their financial or banking data when it gets into the hands of a third party, like an e-commerce website.

This is one key benefit of using a holistic security solution: additional layers of protection proactively keep your personal data out of the wrong hands. It can also detect if your data has already leaked, and helps you regain control of your information.

For example, let’s say you want to order dinner while you are out and about, so that you’ll receive it by the time you get home. A holistic solution, such as McAfee Total Protection includes:

• A virtual private network (VPN), allowing you to connect securely on a public Wi-Fi network by encrypting, or scrambling, your data while in transit so no one else sees it.
• Safe browsing that warns you if the restaurant’s website is risky, before you enter your information.
• An integrated password manager to create and store unique passwords so you don’t reuse passwords. This way if one of your accounts is hacked, your other accounts won’t be at risk.

Let’s go even further and say that long after you’ve ordered and enjoyed your dinner, the restaurant’s website gets hacked. This is when the detection tools come in handy:

• McAfee Total Protection also includes extensive Dark Web Monitoring which keep constant watch, monitoring your sensitive information. If your data leaks, with breach alerts you’re notified upon finding so you can change your credentials and reduce any risk.

A holistic, or comprehensive, security solution uses a multi-layered approach to help protect your personal information and keep your identity private.

Many Dangers, A Unified Solution

We recognize that consumers face a sea of potential threats, but it’s important to remember that by choosing a holistic security solution for your personal protection, you can minimize your exposure.

Antivirus on your PC is not enough – it has not been enough for many decades now. And this becomes more evident as we continue to spend more time online, with the average person spending 6 hours and 54 minutes online each day.

While standalone apps like a password manager, a VPN app, and an identity solution from different vendors can be piecemealed together with your device security, these are difficult to keep track of and burdensome to maintain.

We have combined the important tools you need into a seamless and comprehensive experience because good security software is something that you use daily to feel safer online. This is why we are working on your behalf to redefine security, so you can live your connected life .

To stay updated on all things McAfee and on top of the latest consumer and mobile security threats, follow @McAfee_Home  on Twitter, subscribe to our email, listen to our podcast Hackable?, and ‘Like’ us on Facebook.

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