If you have a pre-teen or teenager, you’re probably aware of their fascination with TikTok. It’s a major hit among young users! Recently, I had a chat with my nine-year-old about possibly setting up a TikTok account for her.
On one hand, I’m thrilled that she’s picking up new dance moves, something she genuinely enjoys, and she’s bonding with her friends while learning them. I can’t help but recall my own childhood, where I often felt left out during conversations about shows I couldn’t watch due to not having cable. That sense of exclusion was tough, making it challenging for me to forge connections with others.
So, the little girl in me is “absolutely thrilled” for my daughter, who gets to share these fun experiences with her peers. (By the way, is “absolutely thrilled” still a thing?) However, the protective parent in me is uneasy about her learning TikTok dances from friends, as I worry about the other content she might encounter.
We all recognize that social media can be overwhelming for kids, and some of the music used in TikTok dances isn’t exactly suitable for them. While I appreciate her curiosity, I’m not ready to grant her unrestricted access just yet. The idea of an app similar to TikTok but designed for kids brings me immense comfort — and relief! Here’s what we know about Zigazoo, the new app being referred to as “TikTok for kids.”
What is Zigazoo?
Zigazoo is a platform tailored for children, allowing them to create and share short videos, akin to TikToks or Instagram Reels.
How does Zigazoo operate?
Zigazoo features “challenges,” much like TikTok. Kid celebrities worldwide create challenges that your child can respond to by making their own videos once they’ve downloaded the app and set up an account. Each kid celebrity has their own channel that users can follow. Zigazoo also collaborates with brands to introduce fresh challenges, like recent ones inspired by the new Addams Family movie through a partnership with MGM Studios!
Who developed Zigazoo?
Zigazoo was created by parents who were dissatisfied with the existing options for safe and positive online experiences during the pandemic. Their goal is to provide children with a secure community that fosters joy, healthy relationships, and personal growth.
When was Zigazoo launched?
Founded in 2020, Zigazoo aims to equip parents and educators with resources to make screen time healthier, more beneficial, and enjoyable for families globally. There’s even a feature called Zigazoo Classroom! Educators can enroll their classes and assign challenges, enabling peer-to-peer video sharing.
Here are some key points you might be wondering about:
- Zigazoo offers a verified and secure sign-up process. Users must verify their identities via phone number or single sign-on through Google, Apple, or Facebook accounts, ensuring that accounts are created with parental consent for safety.
- Zigazoo employs “human moderation” and user controls. Every piece of content undergoes a rigorous moderation process to ensure:
- Relevance to the prompt
- Kid-friendliness, including language and visual content
- Protection of personally identifiable information
- Only videos that meet their school-friendly criteria are accessible. Furthermore, Zigazoo guarantees controlled, positive interactions. Unlike platforms like TikTok or YouTube, users only see videos that have successfully passed Zigazoo’s moderation process and can interact using positive emojis and stickers that encourage healthy online relationships.
Hopefully, this clarifies your questions! If you’re still curious, I plan to have my nine-year-old download the app this weekend so we can explore it together. Once we do, I’ll share our impressions. If you’re interested in trying it out, you can download the app.
In the meantime, check out this post that dives deeper into home insemination kits. It’s a great resource if you’re considering family planning options. Additionally, for more information on home testing and pregnancy, you might find this website helpful.
To summarize, Zigazoo is a kid-friendly app that allows children to create and share videos in a safe environment, fostering creativity while ensuring moderation and positive interactions.