Managing TikTok: Tips for Foster Parents
Social media plays a major role in the lives of children and young people today, and TikTok is one of the most popular platforms. For foster parents, managing TikTok use can feel challenging, particularly when supporting children in foster care who may already be vulnerable.
TikTok offers creativity, entertainment, and connection, but it also comes with risks such as exposure to inappropriate content, online bullying, and privacy concerns. Foster carers need to strike a balance between allowing self-expression and keeping children safe online.
Open communication is key. Foster parents should talk openly with children about TikTok, asking what they enjoy watching and creating. Building trust helps children feel comfortable discussing their online experiences and reporting concerns.
Setting clear boundaries is also important. Foster carers can agree on screen time limits, appropriate posting rules, and privacy settings. Many children in foster care benefit from clear structure, which helps them feel safe and supported.
Privacy settings should be reviewed regularly. Foster parents can help young people set accounts to private, limit who can comment, and disable direct messages where appropriate. This reduces the risk of unwanted contact and online exploitation.
It’s also important to monitor content without being intrusive. Foster carers don’t need to watch every video, but having an awareness of trends, challenges, and language helps identify potential risks early.
For children who have experienced trauma, TikTok content can sometimes trigger emotional responses. Foster parents should be alert to changes in mood or behaviour and provide reassurance and emotional support when needed.
Fostering agencies often provide training around online safety, which can be incredibly valuable for foster carers navigating social media. Staying informed empowers foster parents to guide children confidently through the digital world.
By managing TikTok in a supportive and informed way, foster carers can help children and young people enjoy social media safely while building resilience, self-esteem, and healthy online habits