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Musical.ly Parent App Guide

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July 18, 2016

Note: The Musical.ly app was shut down in August 2018. All 100M Musical.ly users are being transferred to the TikTok App. However, we leave this app guide here to teach parents/educators what it does.

What was the Musical.ly app?

Musical.ly is a popular app with teens and tweens that lets users make lip-syncing videos to their favorite songs.

  • This app allowed students to select from millions of songs or use music from their own device
  • Users created lip sync videos to your favorite songs
  • The app allowed users to add video effects: filter, fast motion, slow motion, time lapse, reverse, and other "time machine" effects
  • Users of Musical.ly were called “musers”
  • Users got likes from other “musers” and could see how their music videos ranked on the leaderboard
  • The "Duet" feature created a video that featured your own video integrated with another “muser's” submission

Why should parents care?

The app was very popular with teens and has transitioned to today's TikTok. There was mature language and sexual content in the songs that are popular on the app, and no way to filter the content. Videos could contain mature situations.

Login or join the VIP membership today to view all resources about TikTok and Musical.ly!

Become a member or log in to learn more on this topic

Superintendents, Directors and Principals: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.
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Josh's presentation about social media was unbelievably fantastic. Our students learned so much about what kids should and shouldn't be doing. The fact that it is such a thoughtful process made it all worthwhile.

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Educator Webinar Attendee

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This webinar is a very helpful eye-opener on the apps that are popular with my students.

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Educator Webinar Attendee

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Musical.ly Parent App Guide

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Enjoy this resource and share our programs with your school district to send these resources to your whole community
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Note: The Musical.ly app was shut down in August 2018. All 100M Musical.ly users are being transferred to the Tik Tok App. However, we leave this app guide here to teach parents/educators what it does.

Parent & educator training video

What was the Musical.ly app?

Musical.ly is a popular app with teens and tweens that lets users make lip-syncing videos to their favorite songs.

Musical.ly is a popular app with teens and tweens that lets users make lip-syncing videos to their favorite songs.
  • This app allowed students to select from millions of songs or use music from their own device
  • Users created lip sync videos to your favorite songs
  • The app allowed users to add video effects: filter, fast motion, slow motion, time lapse, reverse, and other "time machine" effects
  • Users of Musical.ly were called “musers”
  • Users got likes from other “musers” and could see how their music videos ranked on the leaderboard
  • The "Duet" feature created a video that featured your own video integrated with another “muser's” submission

What does Musical.ly marketing say?

  • Use hot music to make fascinating videos
  • Discover trends from around the world
  • Easily create fun and amazing videos to impress your friends
  • Anyone can be an awesome singer

What is popular on Musical.ly?

  • Lip-syncing pop songs
  • Comedy Parodies
  • Tutorials
  • What do parents say?

    Warning....this app contains Adult Video Content!

    "Warning....this app contains Adult Video Content! After watching a lot of other videos that were on there by others, the majority of them were inappropriate and had suggestive language and dancing."

    "Caution! Very fun but not for Tweens! The BIG problem is that a lot of the available music and sound bites contain all the very adult language and innuendos you hear on the radio. So when left to her own devices, I found my 10 year old lip syncing to suggestive lyrics she didn't even understand. And dancing and gesturing the way a rock diva does- not the way I want her spending her free time."

    Why should parents care?

    There is mature language and sexual content on the app.

    Even though this app is relatively new and hasn’t received a lot of media attention, it is very popular with teens. There is mature language and sexual content in the songs that are popular on the app, and there is no way to filter the content. Videos can contain mature situations.

    What can parents do?

    • Remind your teen to keep each video Light, Bright and Polite
    • And, inappropriate online activity (even under a fake username) can harm their reputation
    • Start an open and honest dialog with your teen
    • Challenge your teens to find a way to highlight their knowledge and teach others
    • Encourage your students to participate in positive challenges (eg: #TeacherGoals)

    Watch our original Musical.ly Parent Guide from 2016 as a video:

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    your membership plan. Click here to join.

    School Districts: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.

    Note: The Musical.ly app was shut down in August 2018. All 100M Musical.ly users are being transferred to the TikTok App. However, we leave this app guide here to teach parents/educators what it does.

    What was the Musical.ly app?

    Musical.ly is a popular app with teens and tweens that lets users make lip-syncing videos to their favorite songs.

    • This app allowed students to select from millions of songs or use music from their own device
    • Users created lip sync videos to your favorite songs
    • The app allowed users to add video effects: filter, fast motion, slow motion, time lapse, reverse, and other "time machine" effects
    • Users of Musical.ly were called “musers”
    • Users got likes from other “musers” and could see how their music videos ranked on the leaderboard
    • The "Duet" feature created a video that featured your own video integrated with another “muser's” submission

    Why should parents care?

    The app was very popular with teens and has transitioned to today's TikTok. There was mature language and sexual content in the songs that are popular on the app, and no way to filter the content. Videos could contain mature situations.

    Login or join the VIP membership today to view all resources about TikTok and Musical.ly!

    Become a member or log in to learn more on this topic

    Superintendents, Directors and Principals: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.
    Quotation marks

    This is great info, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teen!

    StarStarStarStarStar

    Sharon M.

    Parent VIP Member

    Quotation marks

    Josh's presentation about social media was unbelievably fantastic. Our students learned so much about what kids should and shouldn't be doing. The fact that it is such a thoughtful process made it all worthwhile.

    StarStarStarStarStar

    Director of College Advising

    Educator Webinar Attendee

    Quotation marks

    This webinar is a very helpful eye-opener on the apps that are popular with my students.

    StarStarStarStarStar

    Irene C.

    Educator Webinar Attendee

    Learn more

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