CapCut is an all-in-one video editing app. It has numerous editing tools that are beginner-friendly and contains multiple online tutorials. CapCut empowers anyone, regardless of their editing experience, to create videos.  With its user-friendly interface and diverse editing tools, CapCut app provides a platform for students to explore their artistic talents through video creation. This popular video editing app has over 200 million monthly users and is mostly used to create content for social media.

Educators and parents:

‍Guide your students' reflection and discussion with this student worksheet. (Log in to your Google account and select File-->Make a Copy)

What is CapCut?

• CapCut is a “free all-in-one video editor that empowers anyone to create anything anywhere, regardless of video ad editing experience or expertise” (Source: CapCut.com)

• It offers “Flexible editing, magical AI tools, team collaboration, and stock assets.” To make video creation like never before” (Source: CapCut.com)

• The app can be used as an online video editor, online photo editor, text-to-speech converter, add video effects and filters, audio subtitles editor, video background remover, online photo colorizer, color match, low-light image enhancer, and image style transfer

Parent and educator training video

What is CapCut rated?

• Based in China, Owned by the parent company ByteDance
• CapCut app is available for download on both Android and iOS mobile devices
• A desktop application is available for both Windows and macOS and comes with all the same features that are available in the mobile app
• It may also be used in a web browser 
• Apple App Store: 12+‍
• Google Play Store: E (Everyone)‍
• Microsoft Store: E (Everyone) 

Examples of CapCut in the news

“CapCut and sister company TikTok are owned by the Chinese company ByteDance Ltd., which has long been under scrutiny by American officials concerned with how it collects and leverages American users’ personal data, allegedly including biometric data.” -The Record

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“Its popularity is evident in the numbers–CapCut is climbing the U.S. app store charts with over 200 million monthly active users...As platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube continue to expand on vertical-video content, more users are attempting to make their own videos, and apps like CapCut are filling the gap" -Time

Why do students want to use CapCut?

• CapCut’s editing tools are specifically catered towards recreating popular and trendy TikTok videos on students' feeds and upload videos to other popular apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
• Students can use CapCut to create projects and presentations, allowing them to develop their creativity and digital literacy skills
• In this app, many users can edit the same video simultaneously, making it easier for students to work together on projects or assignments and produce high-quality content quickly
• CapCut has easy-to-use features that make it accessible and user-friendly for all levels of video editing ads

Why should parents & educators care?

• Collaborated videos and video templates may have inappropriate language, music, text, or suggestive images
• CapCut encourages users to complete tasks such as inviting friends and other accounts to collaborate, and in return, users receive additional free storage for a limited time
• Creators must get approval from CapCut before they’re authorized to post templates for others to use. This does not mean that approved creators are posting clean content, but it does mean the content is more limited as opposed to everyone having free access to post anything they want
• CapCut does not have in-app messaging, but individuals may like and comment on templates
• If your student has a TikTok account linked to their CapCut profile and they comment or like a template, other users may click on your child's profile, which has a button which takes others directly to their TikTok account

What can parents & educators do?

• Discuss and set boundaries with your student on what content is appropriate for them to access, post, and share on the web and social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
• Advise your child to stay away from linking their TikTok account to CapCut
• Ensure your child has a trusted adult they can talk to if they ever feel uncomfortable or if anyone tries to get personal information from them

Privacy/setting recommendations for CapCut

• There are no parental controls on CapCut. The only safety measure currently in place on this social media app, is the ability to block other users, but there is no way to block or monitor the comment section or restrict inappropriate content for young users
• The best course of action is to avoid letting students connect a TikTok account. This makes the app limited to just its video editing capabilities

More resources for parents, students, & educators

TikTok Guide for Parents, Educators, & Students

Negative Impact of TikTok on Teens

Alternatives to TikTok

Conclusion

CapCut offers students a dynamic, user-friendly  platform for video editing.  Although it allows students to have a creative outlet, it is important for parents to set boundaries and be aware of the content their student may be exposed to while using this app.