KUALA LUMPUR: In a dialogue entitled TikTok #ListenToYOUth, TikTok facilitated the ongoing conversation on online safety.

Recognising the challenges of parenting in the digital age, TikTok introduced refreshed safety resources to guide parents in becoming more equipped digital stewards and help them better understand their children's online experiences.

"In the age of digital and with life moving online thanks to the pandemic, the young today are more exposed and more savvy with the online world. However, the ease of use does not equal maturity to navigate unsafe social media situations and children/youth still need and value guidance from trusted adults.

"At TikTok, we understand the gravity of raising safe and responsible digital citizens and are continuously empowering parents through a series of resources and tools to enable this process," said TikTok head of Public Policy for Malaysia, Kristoffer Eduard Rada.

On top of having representation from both parents and youths, the virtual dialogue was also joined by members of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) who shared insights on Malaysia's online safety landscape and best practices.

Sharing the perspective of parents, Parent Action Group for Education's Chairman, Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said that as much as safety resources and guides are crucial for parents to protect their children, trust and open communication is key when it comes to having digital safety and security conversations among families.

"Trust between parents and children needs to be inculcated from young. It is a lot easier, and it sets the stage that children can come to us anytime if there is a problem. There are many parenting styles, but the most important practice is to be present and involved when raising them. It's fine to be a helicopter parent because that's when we're able to detect issues; but where we need to strike a balance is boundaries.

"We live in a time where our way is no longer the highway. Parents should also know that there's always a place beyond the home to look for support," she said.

Delving into the perspective of youths, the group generally stressed on the importance of parental competency, staying relevant and maintaining open communication in mitigating online risks.

On advantages of social media, Potter Ka Kai Fong from Lions Club International, representing the voice of youth shared that it is heartening to see young people use social media to champion and advocate on topics such as environment issues, equality and even drive social charity causes.

"A lot of worthy causes would be slow to see the light of day if it weren't for social media. Youths today are using these platforms to create awareness and it's important for parents to recognise and support this.

"While social media can be an unsafe place for teens as it compounds on issues like self-esteem and cyberbullying, it can also be a place to affect change. This is where parents can come in and even stay relevant - take interest in the causes your children support and be part of that conversation to build a healthier relationship not only with the children but with social media as well. Having parents as role models makes all the difference," said Potter.

GUIDE FOR PARENTS TO STAY VIGILANT AND RELEVANT

1. Set appropriate limits

Digital parenting is not about controlling but rather helping them balance their time on social media platforms. TikTok has a range of safety features that can help teen, aged 13 and over, maintain their digital wellbeing such as by linking your TikTok account to your children's via the Family Pairing tool to directly manage key safety controls such as direct messages. TikTok also offers a Screen Time Management feature that enables time limits of up to two hours and curates age-appropriate experiences.


2. Discuss privacy

It is critical that teens understand online privacy as a fundamental human right. Talk about the value of personal information and have them understand the concept of a digital footprint. Set strict boundaries around interactions to prevent the privacy breaches that can come from oversharing personal information or hacking. TikTok has enhanced

default privacy settings for all registered accounts ages 13-15 to private.


3. Discuss cyberbullying

Parents should keep the lines of communication open. Parents should also ask regularly and specifically about cyberbullying and if they or a friend of theirs have had any such experience. Take the time to learn about TikTok's new anti-cyberbullying features that give users even more control over content and the interactions.


4. Educate on dis-/mis-information

The pandemic has only highlighted how fast fake news, which is designed to look like trustworthy information, can spread. Encourage teens to analyse what they see and remind them to fact-check information sources. TikTok recently developed a new resource for the Safety Centre dedicated to challenges and hoaxes.


5. Agree on family tech boundaries

Parents are encouraged to set a clear "Family Tech Agreement". This includes setting device-free zones and times such as during family meals or during weekend mornings. These rules need to be mutually agreeable with clear consequences for breaking them. Through these ongoing initiatives TikTok is committed to building a positive environment for users while protecting against industry-wide challenges around platform misuse.