Using social networks also means paying attention to issues of child protection and digital well-being. For this reason TikTok implemented the Youth Council. This is the initiative to further strengthen the way the app presents itself and to be safe for teenagers.
Youth Council, the safety of minors according to TikTok
The launch of TikTok's Youth Council comes in conjunction with one global study conducted on over 12,000 adolescents aged 13 to 17 and their parents. There is a greater desire for users to work together with digital platforms to improve security and information.
This new initiative of the Chinese company was created in collaboration with Safeguarding Guard. It is an agency specializing in online safety, and is made up of 15 kids between the ages of 15 and 18 representing different communities and countries.
«One of my main goals is to defend the interests and concerns of young creators. I hope to actively contribute to discussions to promote inclusiveness, creativity and a positive environment.” This is what she stated a 15-year-old TikTok Youth Council member from the United States.
The campaigns in favor of digital well-being created by the Youth Council
The ByteDance company stated that one of its priority objectives for 2024 concerns attention to digital wellbeing and the protection of minors on the platform. «In particular, in 2024 we will launch over 10 in-app media literacy campaigns around the world. They will focus on disinformation and content generated by AI”, we read in the presentation of the initiative, without however specifying further information on these campaign.
Why focus attention on minors
TikTok has decided to focus even more on minors because, especially in the United States, there are many users under 18 on the social network specialized in videos. Indeed, Valiant Richey, Global Head of Outreach and Partnerships per TikTok, added: «TikTok is a platform where families come together to create and enjoy memorable moments. We want to make sure we equip families with the tools they need to do that.”
