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What Parents Need to Know about TikTok and the Movie Megan is Missing
#meganismissing is trending on TikTok. What is all of this hype and what do you need to know about the movie? I decided to watch it and give you a few observations so you can decide if it’s for you. This movie is NOT FOR KIDS. Here is why.
Observations About Cuties from Netflix
If you haven’t watched Cuties, you may be really lost in the conflicting headlines. I decided to watch it and give you a few observations so you can decide if it’s for you. Here are a few points that stuck out to me:
Understanding Empathy
I’ve seen this video several times…and I’ll continue to watch it to keep my mind fresh when talking with struggling youth. It’s a very powerful 3 minute reminder on human connection.
Digital Dating
Unlike when I grew up, our kids are digitally dating. I’ve worked with students that have met someone IRL (in real life), that person moved to a different city, and then they continued their relationship digitally. I’ve talked to youth who have met their partner online and have never met in person. There are also youth who date in person, but stay connected (and date) through digital devices.
Social Media, Mental Health and Suicide
Since 2012, I’ve been doing trainings trying to help adults understand the world of youth, technology, social media, and mental health. When I first started doing my trainings, I was targeting the parents of high school aged kiddos. Now I’m trying to get elementary parents to my trainings. As youth get technology younger and younger, they can see and misunderstand healthy and unhealthy mental health.
PA’s Mental Health Campaign
I’m very excited to see this initiative in PA. Hopefully we will see some action towards prevention and treatment for mental health in PA. Hopefully other states will follow this lead.
Youtube and Roblox Adult Content
Please read this article. I can’t confirm how much of this happens, but it can happen. Kids love Roblox and Youtube. My children are not permitted to use Roblox because they are not of age yet, at 8 and 11.
TikTok Is Not OK for Kids
TikTok is not appropriate for elementary or middle school kiddos. Some of the content is not appropriate for high school teens. There is much adult-themed content on it and as with any interactive app: the potential for grooming.