Social media has many benefits, but we cannot overlook the risks it poses to children. The recent fine imposed on TikTok for allowing 1.4 million children under 13 to use the app shows the need for better regulation of social media to protect our kids. While social media can be positive, we must be careful about its potential dangers to young people and take measures to ensure their safety.
In a fresh blow to the Chinese-owned app, TikTok has been fined £12.7 million by U.K. privacy regulators for failing to protect children’s data. This is a wake-up call for the social media giant, which has been facing heightened scrutiny from regulators and calls for a ban in the U.S. over national security concerns.
Findings
According to CNBC, The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) revealed that TikTok allowed 1.4 million children under the age of 13 to use the app in 2020, despite its own rules requiring users to be above this age to create a TikTok account. This is a serious violation of data protection law, as children’s personal data is particularly sensitive and requires extra care and protection.
John Edwards, the U.K. Information Commissioner, slammed TikTok for its irresponsible actions, saying that the company “should have known better” and “should have done better”. He added that the £12.7 million fine reflects the serious impact of their failures and their lack of action to remove the underage children that were using their platform.
TikTok's Response
TikTok, on the other hand, argued that the company is doing its best to keep those under 13s off the platform and ensure safety for its community. The company has a 40,000-strong safety team that works around the clock to monitor the platform and remove any underage users.
Is that fishy?
However, the fact remains that TikTok has failed to protect children’s data and violated data protection law. This is not the first time that the app has been in hot water over its data protection practices. Last year, the ICO had proposed fining TikTok £25 million for this privacy violation, which was reduced to £12.7 million after TikTok’s review.
Wake up call for Others?
The penalty is a warning sign for social media giants, which need to take data protection seriously and ensure that they are doing enough to safeguard their users’ personal data. It is especially crucial for apps like TikTok, which are popular among children and teenagers and can have a significant impact on online safety and privacy.
Wake-up Call for Parents?
Parents need to be aware of the risks associated with social media and take steps to protect their children’s data and privacy. They should monitor their children’s online activity and use parental controls and other safety measures to limit their exposure to potential dangers.
The TikTok fine is a wake-up call for social media giants and parents alike, highlighting the need for greater awareness and action on data protection and online safety. While TikTok has pledged to do better, it remains to be seen whether the company can truly live up to its promises and ensure the safety and privacy of its users, especially children and teenagers. As users and consumers, we have a responsibility to hold these companies accountable and demand better data protection and privacy practices.
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