Musical.ly Parent App Guide
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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 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.
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Become a member or log in to view this course
Superintendents, Directors and Principals: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.
This is great info, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teen!
Sharon M.
Parent VIP Member
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.
Director of College Advising
Educator Webinar Attendee
This webinar is a very helpful eye-opener on the apps that are popular with my students.
Irene C.
Educator Webinar Attendee
This app is listed in the SmartSocial.com Green Zone.
This app is not safe for students to use unsupervised, but a Green Zone app can serve a positive purpose to help a student to navigate social media and someday build an online brand. Read more below to find out why this app is in the Green Zone.
This app is listed in the SmartSocial.com Gray Zone.
Gray Zone apps often contain lots of private & disappearing messages, and strangers can use this to chat with students. Parents should participate in these apps with students to keep them safe. This zone can be a great place for family time since many of these apps can be entertaining, and let your students express themselves. Read more below to find out why this app is in the Gray Zone.
This app is listed in the SmartSocial.com Red Zone.
Red Zone apps often have lots of anonymous features, adult content, and easy contact with strangers. Supervision is strongly suggested on each of these apps or move your kids to a safer zone. All apps require parental supervision, these apps more than others. Read more below to find out why this app is in the Red Zone or view our list of 100+ Apps to find a safer app with your student.
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This trend is categorized as a Dangerous Social Media Challenge.
Viral challenges encourage students to do dangerous things to garner likes, views, attention, and subscribers. These challenges can be found across several social networks and may encourage students to perform dangerous activities. SmartSocial.com keeps parents updated on these social media challenges before an incident may occur in your community.
Table of Contents
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?
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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