Now that TikTok may be banned (or will it?), many tween and teen users are looking for a new space to lip sync, dance, make recipes and more. One potential contender, for the younger set in particular, may be Coverstar, which is advertised as a “safe TikTok alternative.” But is Coverstar safe for kids?
According to Titania Jordan, Bark Technologies’ chief parent officer and the author and founder of Parenting in a Tech World, no app that involves strangers interacting is ever 100% safe.” That said, Coverstar does take some precautions that other social platforms do not.
From how it works to the safety tactics it employs, here’s what parents should know about the Coverstar app.
What is the Coverstar app?
The Coverstar app is essentially a “KidzBop” version of TikTok, Jordan says. “When you scroll through Coverstar, it is entirely children — mainly tween girls — dancing or talking about clothes and makeup.”
The objective of the platform is to post videos, most of which are set to music, sound effects or voice overs. Coverstar has much stricter posting guidelines than TikTok, asking users to agree to terms when signing up, which include not posting videos in underwear or bathing suits, along with not posting anything sexually explicit. Both humans and AI keep track of content, “ensuring harmful or inappropriate content is swiftly removed,” the site notes.
Key differences between Coverstar and TikTok
Here are some ways the Coverstar app differs from TikTok.
Stricter guidelines and more rigorous content moderation
Since it’s geared towards kids, the guidelines are stricter, and moderators swiftly remove hateful and inappropriate comments and content. Additionally, as mentioned above, it implores users to abide by their guidelines before signing up.
Put another way: Kids will have to throw on shorts and a top before posting a video from the pool in order to stay within the “no bathing suit” policy. (TikTok, needless to say, does not have this term of use.)
No direct messaging (DMing)
Unlike TikTok, users can’t send private messages to one another on the Coverstar app — but they can comment on videos. “While scrolling through the comments of videos, it’s primarily other users commenting ‘you’re so pretty’ or ‘follow for follow?’” says Jordan.
No search bar
“There’s no search bar,” Jordan notes, “which means it appears that the company is entirely in control of what users see — for better or for worse.”
“Making videos and hoping for likes can affect a child’s self-worth and could even make them become obsessed with checking the app and posting more for additional attention,”
—Titania Jordan, chief parent officer, Bark Technologies
Is the Coverstar app safe for kids?
Is any app 100% safe? No. So even while Coverstar is considered safer than other social apps (and can provide fun and creativity through challenges, dances, etc.), there are “things to be concerned about,” Jordan notes. These include:
The Like Effect. “Making videos and hoping for likes can affect a child’s self-worth and could even make them become obsessed with checking the app and posting more for additional attention,” Jordan says.
Ads. There are ads every few videos while scrolling, Jordan explains, primarily for online games and apps.
Cyberbullying/predation. Cyberbullying could happen on the platform, but, Jordan notes, the moderation makes that less of a possibility. “Keeping an eye on comments would be a good idea for a parent,” she says.
“It’s also possible adults may pose as children on the app and comment to strike up friendships,” Jordan continues. “Deep fakes and filters could allow them to create their own profile and move conversations to a different platform.”
It’s addictive. Social media is designed to be addictive, full stop, regardless of the platform. When kids rely too heavily on social media, it can result in “problems in functioning and disrupted real-world relationships,” according to the American Psychiatric Association.
Ways to stay safe
There are a few ways to increase your child’s safety when it comes to Coverstar and other forms of social media. Here are a few to consider:
Get to know the app
While you don’t need to get a degree in programming, you should have a general idea of how Coverstar (and any app your kid is using) works.
“Regardless of the ‘safety’ designation of the app, platform or community, parents should develop an understanding of the online tools their children are accessing and interacting with,” notes Cori Stott, executive director of the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. “Download the app (or visit the platform) yourself, to get a feel for the functionality and tone and to read through the safety/wellbeing guardrails and policies.”
”Sometimes, kids encounter things online… that they don’t know how to handle. Plan ahead of time for how you can be a trusted, non-punitive source for support and help when these situations arise.”
— Cori Stott, executive director, Digital Wellness Lab
Use the app together
“Co-engage with the app alongside your child with a tone of openness and curiosity, at times leading with your experience exploring the app’s features, like pointing out how to use features like blocking or reporting as a preventative measure,” suggests Stott. “Ask them what they are doing, what they enjoy about it, what they think about what you are seeing or hearing and similar.”
Set shared expectations
Discuss with your child how they will use the app and where they can turn if they need help. According to Stott, this discussion should include:
- How much time they should spend using the app.
- When and where they can use the app.
- How they will interact with others on the app.
- What the consequences will be if these expectations aren’t met
”Sometimes, kids encounter things online that they and/or their parents don’t expect or that they don’t know how to handle,” Stott adds. “Plan ahead of time for how you can be a trusted, non-punitive source for support and help when these situations arise.”
The bottom line
When it comes to social media and TikTok alternatives, Coverstar isn’t so bad. “It still presents some dangers,” Jordan notes, “though they appear to be lessened.”
“No matter what your child is doing online,” Jordan adds, “remember to pay attention to what they’re doing, and most importantly, who they’re communicating with.”
