By: The BitMar Team.
TikTok is a popular Social Media platform that allows users to create, and share, short videos with one another. While the TikTok app has become a favorite, among young people, worldwide, it is not without its risks. In this article, we will explore some of the dangers of using TikTok, and provide tips on how to stay safe while using the app in question – if you decide to continue using it, after reading this article.
Here are the main dangers of using TikTok:
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1. Lack of Data Privacy:
Data privacy is a growing concern for many TikTok users. The app collects a significant amount of data, from its users – including: their location, device information, and usage patterns. While TikTok has said that it stores this data, securely, and does not share it with third parties, concerns have been raised about the app's links to the Chinese government. In response, some countries – including: the U.S., and India – have either banned, restricted, or are considering restricting, the use of TikTok. This – alone – should be a red flag, if you are a current TikTok user.
2. High Addiction Rate:
TikTok addiction is another risk, associated with using the app. The platform's design is intentionally addictive, with an endless scroll of short, entertaining videos. Spending too much time, on TikTok, can have negative effects on mental health, productivity, and relationships. In a survey, of young people – conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health – nearly 70% of respondents, said: that they felt pressured to use Social Media; and more than half, said: that it had a negative impact on their sleep, and mood. We have also reported about the impacts of streaming on our mental health.
3. Numerous Scams:
TikTok has created a new door, for scammers. Some users may attempt to trick others into giving them money, and/or personal information. In fact, The Better Business Bureau recently issued a warning, about fake TikTok giveaways that ask users to enter their personal information, and/or to download a specific app, to enter said giveaways. While these types of scams are not new, nor exclusively related to TikTok, its younger – and, therefore, more impressionable – demographics may further enable such dangers.
4. Excessive Cyberbullying:
Cyberbullying is one of the most significant dangers associated with using TikTok. The app has become notorious for the proliferation of hurtful comments, negative videos, and other abusive behavior. In a study conducted by the UK Safer Internet Centre, more than a third of children and young people who had seen something on TikTok that bothered them said they were upset by someone's unkind comments. Another study by Pew Research Center found that nearly 60% of U.S. teens have experienced some form of online harassment.
5. Plenty of Inappropriate content:
Finally, inappropriate content is another significant concern, when it comes to using TikTok. While the app has taken steps, to remove content that violates its community guidelines – including: sexually-explicit, and/or violent material – inappropriate content can still be found on the platform. In a recent survey of TikTok users, conducted by Digital Information World, nearly half of respondents, said: that they had seen inappropriate content, on the app.
In conclusion, while TikTok can be a fun, and entertaining streaming platform, it is not without its high risks. Given the above information, we do not recommend that anyone uses the app. However, if you insist on using it, you should be aware of the potential dangers of using the app—including: cyberbullying, inappropriate content, data privacy, addiction, and scams. If none of these things are important to you, you may continue using the app, without any worries.
On the other hand, if what you just learned is prompting you to – at least – consider an alternative to TikTok, next-generation streaming platforms, like: BitMar, may provide what you seek.
Officially, BitMar is an all-media-in-one streaming platform; that connects you to millions of full movies, TV shows, channels, videos, and songs (from different worldwide sources on the Web), on the screens that you already own, for a one-time payment, of only: $99.99 USD.
BitMar operates as a content finder, using the same technology behind the Bing search engine. However, unlike most Web search engines, BitMar has been specifically optimized to find you full streaming content, in any language, from anywhere in the World. In fact, BitMar provides access to more movies, and TV shows, than: Cable, Satellite, Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, combined... and more songs than Pandora, Spotify, Amazon Prime Music, and Apple Music, combined. You may use/display BitMar on virtually any device, while it only costs a one-time purchase, of: $99.99 (U.S.D.); for unlimited streaming access. Feel free to learn more, at: BitMar.com.