Oct 5, 2016 4 min read

Q: How do I handle my sixth-grader’s obsession with apps on her iPad? We haven’t given her a phone yet, but most of her friends have one. The app she uses the most is Musical.ly. I’m concerned, even though she and her friends seem to be creating innocent videos. My biggest worry is her profile. I fear for her safety. She says only a few friends can see her information. What do you think?

Concerned mom

Mary Jo’s response: True confession: For a “seasoned” educator, I’m lost when the newest apps are discussed. Thanks for your question. It forced me to do some research. I also immediately went to our peer educator advisors, whose wisdom is real-time relevant.

Here’s what I learned. Muscial.ly is a popular app made for creating 15-second music videos. Young people pick a song and record themselves singing, dancing or lip-syncing. After recording, they can add effects, filters and hashtags, then share. Many users seek a fan base; the videos can be shared through Musical.ly to other online sites like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

On Musical.ly, all accounts are public by default. When a video is posted, anyone can see it and anyone can follow. The account can be changed to private in settings, so only approved followers can view the creations. First step if a parent approves this app – set the setting to private. Even with a private account, other users (called musers) can search for an account and see profile photos, user names, and short bios. People can also see a person’s fans, followers and likes. I think personal information and private user names leading to a child’s identity should be kept off the app.

Technically the app is rated T for teen. Musical.ly claims to restrict users to over 13, and states between 13 and 18 a teen must have parental approval, but I joined and it did not ask me for a birth date or age.

Parents need to monitor song choices as well as the way their child dances or sings to a song. Another concern deals with hashtags. Often a hashtag is included with the video. By clicking on a hashtag, a user can quickly move to other types of videos. It’s not difficult to reach areas of the app most parents would find problematic. Parents should check out the online reactions of other parents; some claim it is easy to reach explicit and even pornographic videos. I didn’t personally find such videos, but my efforts were admittedly brief.

I’m also concerned about the potential for mean comments. I’m known young people who were bullied and traumatized by nasty comments on Instagram; this app seems to be similar. Posting a creation and seeking positive encouragement can lead to dismay when a group of “friends” decides mocking the creator might be fun. It seems a primary goal is becoming a featured video, which can mean a user will seek wider distribution of their video, beyond their private base.

I’m also concerned about deleting an account. I read online a parent tried to delete a child’s Musical.ly account but couldn’t. I checked out the app’s website and they admit, at the moment, an account cannot be deleted. They promise this feature is coming soon.

Bottom line: Parents should first download the app, check it out and google other parents’ comments and concerns. The creativity of making music videos is a draw; parents who approve the app need to talk about their values, discuss what is appropriate, set up a private account, monitor their child’s use of the app and discuss what to do if a fan is obnoxious or mean.

Peer educator response: Parents need to teach. Talk with your child. Monitor their use of this app and any other app. Sixth-graders are young. It’s all about trust. If you trust your child and communicate well, using this app is a way to become closer. Use private settings, be careful with private information, and create videos a child wouldn’t hesitate to show to a grandma.