Millennials and digital technology in the age of COVID-19: challenges to overcome for a safe experience

Paris, 5 February 2021 – On Safer Internet Day 2021, the international day dedicated to raising awareness about digital usage, which this year focused on the impact of COVID-19, TikTok and the e-Enfance Association looked at the behaviour of Millennials – the so-called «connected» generation – and unveiled the results of a study conducted with YouGov.1. This survey provides an initial assessment of 2020 and sheds light on their knowledge of security and privacy tools. These issues are central to TikTok's concerns, as it is committed to providing a supportive environment in which its community can freely express their creativity.  

The e-Enfance Association, the benchmark in the protection of minors on the Internet, operates the Net Ecoute 3018 assistance platform as part of the European Commission's Safer Internet Programme. 

Digital platforms promoting social cohesion: Millennials say yes... 

Unsurprisingly, three out of four Millennials (74.1%) say that the health crisis has distanced them from their loved ones, whether family members or friends. For For two-thirds of them (65%), digital platforms provided a real bulwark, helping to bridge this gap. This sentiment is even more pronounced among Millennials living in the Paris region (74%). For 78% of those surveyed, digital platforms are a preferred channel for maintaining social ties thanks to their messaging services, and for 43% because they allow them to post content (photos, videos) that is important to them.  

Moreover, Nearly four in ten Millennials (36%) say they have opened one or more accounts on digital platforms since the start of the health crisis.. This proves that digital platforms continue to be popular as an ideal way to keep in touch, but also to escape, especially during these difficult times.  

…Even if they do not fully understand online security features  

While the health crisis has increased Internet use in general, has this phenomenon been accompanied by greater awareness of security and privacy tools? The results of the study reveal that there is still work to be done in terms of raising awareness so that people can make the most of all these features.  

1 Methodology: the study was conducted between 25 and 27 January 2021, among 1,004 people representative of the French population aged between 18 and 34.

While eight out of ten Millennials (83.1%) with an account on a platform claim to be aware that security and privacy features exist, Only 42% know exactly how to use it.  

Moreover, the first means of protection is a robust password, dedicated to each platform. This is a challenge for Millennials, as they are More than one in two (54%) admit to having lost their password at least once in the last 12 months! 

The issue of their safety is indeed a priority, since they are 81% to acknowledge that more education is needed on these tools. Women are more sensitive to this (86%) than men (77%). Among the recommended options :  

– media broadcasts and articles (34%),
– awareness on the part of parents (21%),
– practical guides (20%),
– workshops with professionals (15%).  

How do Millennials ensure a secure online experience?  

Millennials already have good habits!
Thus, 56% make their content accessible only to their subscribers., and even  52% simply set their account(s) to private.. This option is used more by women (56%) than by men (47%). 51% of respondents have the reflex to delete geolocation and 42% delete their personal information (email, telephone, postal address).  

Blocking, reporting: what are Millennials doing?  

Seven out of ten Millennials (72%) admit to having reported content or profiles on digital platforms.. Similarly, 74% have already blocked at least one account..And Millennials are just as proactive when it comes to defending their community: Nearly half of them (47%) automatically report accounts when they witness behaviour they consider inappropriate.. They are also 14% to comment in defence of the user and 10% to try to establish a constructive dialogue to calm the situation. 

TikTok continues its commitment to protecting its community  

TikTok is committed to providing a safe environment where everyone, especially the youngest members of society, can express their creativity with complete peace of mind and confidence. This is the whole point of the key initiatives undertaken in recent months to strengthen the security and privacy of its community.  

Thus, at the beginning of this year, TikTok automatically switched to private mode the default privacy settings for its users aged 13 to 15. In practical terms, this means that only subscribers accepted as «Friends» will be able to view their videos.  

TikTok is also the only major platform to have removed access to Direct Messaging for users under the age of 16. Moreover, they do not have the opportunity to carry out Live streams.Significant advances aimed at providing an ever safer experience for its young users.  

Finally, thanks to the mode Family Login, launched in February 2019 and reinforced in October 2020, TikTok  invites parents to accompany their teenagers in their online experience. This way, parents and teenagers have the opportunity to link their accounts. TikTok respective, and to decide, together, on the configuration of certain features.  

TikTok and the e-Enfance Association join forces for a safer internet  

On Safer Internet Day, TikTok and the Association e-Childhood are launching a fun quiz for users to test their knowledge of the platform's security and privacy features, as well as their reflexes in the face of potentially inappropriate behaviour. This quiz will be available from 9 to 14 February, as soon as the application opens. 

About TikTok
TikTok is the go-to destination for short-form mobile videos. Our mission is to inspire users and enrich their daily lives by providing a place to express their creativity and an authentic, fun and positive experience. TikTok has a global presence with offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul and Tokyo.. www.tiktok.com. 

About the e-Enfance Association
Recognised as being of public utility, the e-Enfance Association has been the benchmark for child protection on the Internet and digital citizenship education since 2005. Approved by the French Ministry of Education, it offers interventions in schools, training on the proper use of the Internet, and operates the Net Ecoute helpline for young victims of cyberbullying and their parents. 

Free, anonymous, and confidential, Net Listening 3018 is the national toll-free number specialising in the protection of minors on the Internet, the fight against all forms of cyber violence and support for digital parenting. It is the only service with direct links to social networks, the «Pharos» platform of the National Police and the «Brigade numérique» of the National Gendarmerie, and 119-Enfance en danger. The service is available at netecoute.fr, by email, chat and Messenger from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The e-Enfance Association and its Net Ecoute 3018 assistance platform operate with the support of the European Commission's Safer Internet Programme. 

For more information about the e-Enfance Association, visit e-childhood.org 

Press contacts  

Public Système PR for TikTok
Email: tiktok@lepublicsysteme.fr
Tel: 01 41 34 21 29

TikTok
Fabien Laxague
Head of Communications, United Kingdom
Email: fabien.laxague@tiktok.com