How to Help Your Kids Weed Out Bad Health Content on TikTok

Talk to your kids. Have an open and honest conversation about the importance of being critical of the health content they see online, and talk about how to spot misinformation. Ask what sources they trust, and encourage them to be skeptical of information that seems too good to be true. Teach your kids how to do their own research and find reliable sources of information, such as government agencies, medical journals, and reputable health organizations.

Monitor their activity on TikTok. Keep an eye on the videos and posts your kids are liking and sharing, and talk to them about the content. If you see something that is clearly incorrect or misleading, don't be afraid to speak up and correct them. Talk to your kids about the importance of checking the sources of information before believing it, and encourage them to question everything they see online. Make sure they know they can come to you if they have any questions about health information or about TikTok in general.

Set limits on their screen time. Too much time spent on TikTok can be detrimental to your child's physical and mental health, and it can also make them more susceptible to misinformation. Set limits on how much time your kids are allowed to spend on TikTok each day, and encourage them to spend time on other activities, such as playing outside, reading, or talking to friends and family.

Encourage your kids to report misleading or harmful posts. TikTok offers an easy-to-use way for users to report misleading or harmful posts. Encourage your kids to use this feature if they come across something that is incorrect or harmful.

Follow trusted sources on TikTok. There are many credible sources of health information on TikTok, such as doctors, nurses, dieticians, and other health professionals. Encourage your kids to follow these accounts and to get their health information from these trusted sources.