Parenting Disputes Involving TikTok in DuPage County

 Posted on October 26, 2022 in Child Custody

The short-form video app TikTok features all-encompassing content such as pranks, dances, tricks, instructionals, and current affairs, ranging from 15 seconds to 10 minutes. These videos are created and posted by anyone with a TikTok account. Since its September 2016 inception, global users of TikTok have reached one billion, with 100 million in the United States alone. During the COVID-19 quarantine, TikTok's popularity exploded. 

According to a TikTok survey, nearly half of its users felt watching a video that lasted more than one minute long is too stressful as it challenges their ability to concentrate. One-third of TikTok's users watch videos at double the speed. Still, the average user spends nearly an hour and a half daily on TikTok, opening the app 17 times per day.  Suffice it to say, this highly immersive app can lead many children to squander their time which might be better spent engaging in other activities such as outdoor sports or homework. 

Some argue the app infringes on children's privacy, causes addiction, stunts brain development, and has a host of safety concerns. While one parent may find TikTok a harmless creative outlet and an intrinsic part of the child's social life, the other may vehemently disagree. Conflicting parenting styles may warrant a modification to the parenting plan. A family law attorney skilled in the complexities of parenting plans can help a disputing parent modify their parental responsibilities.                                                         

Eleven Common Reasons a Parent Wishes to Ban TikTok

1. Studies have shown that the social media app can harm a child’s self-esteem.

2. TikTok’s fast-paced content increases dopamine, which can lead to addiction.

3. Due to the short-form videos, TikTok has a debilitating effect on children’s attention spans.

4. The child may be exposed to misinformation and propaganda that conflicts with the parent’s values.

5. The digital footprint could be detrimental to a child’s future job opportunities.

6. Misconstrued videos may hinder a child’s chances of being accepted to college.

7. Children can be coaxed into partaking in dangerous pranks, such as the Skullbreaker Challenge, which has resulted in severe injury and death.

8. The time squandered on TikTok may result in poor academics.

9. The app violates the privacy of both users and contributors.

10. Safety issues include but are not limited to pedophiliac grooming, child sex trafficking or kidnapping, child pornography, sexual harassment, and child sex exploitation.

11. Children are vulnerable to cyberbullying, which can lead to self-harm and suicide.

How to Proceed with Parental Responsibilities Conflict

Rules that are enforced in one household but not adhered to in the other can create chaos and confusion for the child, and frustration for the stricter parent. These inconsistencies can sometimes result in the child favoring the lenient parent and resenting the disciplinarian. If possible, the concerned parent should communicate their wishes to the other parent and aim for common ground and consistency with their parental responsibilities.     

When negotiation is no longer a viable solution, however, a modification to the parenting plan may be necessary and justified. If one parent harbors genuine concern that their child is being exposed to age-inappropriate content online, that parent has the right to petition the court for a modification. 

Contact a DuPage County Family Law Attorney

At Pesce Law Group P.C., a full-service family law firm, our reliable child custody attorneys are committed to procuring peaceful and fair solutions. We understand the complexities surrounding conflicting parenting styles and are skilled at enforcing or modifying parenting plans. If you are disputing your ex-spouse about your child’s TikTok use, contact a Naperville child custody attorney at 630-352-2240 for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://talkinginfluence.com/2020/05/27/tiktok-mainstream-quarantine-culture/

https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-wants-longer-videos-like-not/

https://cyberpurify.com/knowledge/10-dangerous-tiktok-trends/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/social-media-stories/202103/combating-cyberbullying-tiktok