June is Internet Safety Month! Ahead of the occasion, TikTok has already outlined a range of new online safety tips, created in conjunction with various partner advisers. At the same time, TikTok was also developing a new cybersecurity toolkit for families to help drive home their message of online safety at home.
Better Safe, Says TikTok
The main push has to be TikTok’s core safety tips – in partnership with ConnectSafely, the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), and the Global Cyber Alliance (GCA), TikTok has developed these five key rules to help users stay safe whenever they go online:
- Surf smart – Use caution when connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi on the go. Be sure to set strong, unique passwords on all accounts, and enable 2-step verification for an added layer of security.
- Keep it all in the family – Check out TikTok’s easy-to-use safety and privacy controls with tools to customize your online experience.
- Catch the right fish – Phishing is a tactic used to trick people into giving up personal information. Avoid opening, downloading, or clicking links and attachments from unrecognized senders.
- Leave no trace – Keep all devices and apps updated with the latest software and offload unused apps. Before trading in devices, back up personal data like photos or videos, and erase all content and settings to keep personal information private.
- Play, watch, and learn together – Download apps, watch videos, play games, and stay engaged as a family to foster camaraderie across generations.
TikTok also refers people to its New User Guide for more in-depth notes about using TikTok safely. More importantly, the guide teaches new users how they can reach and access its privacy and safety features.
TikTok has also launched a dedicated Summertime safety tips in-app Discover page, which will showcase a range of basic safety tools and security tips from popular TikTok creators and experts. To add, TikTok’s new security toolkit (that’s still in development), in association with the GCA, will provide a step-by-step overview of how people can instill strong cybersecurity habits.
The Wrap
For most parents, internet safety has become a key concern, perhaps even more now than ever. Kids simply want to spend more time staying online, especially now that their behaviors have been drastically affected by the pandemic. Many youngsters have also developed a level of ‘reliance’ on social apps to stay connected with friends and family, further underlining the value of cybersecurity education and training.
It’s a good initiative from TikTok. In five simple steps, TikTok surely managed to get the attention and somewhat support of the millions of parents out there.
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