Instagram and TikTok are two social spiritualist apps that have rocket in popularity over the last decade . But , what ’s the difference ?
While in the past , the answer might have been a dim-witted “ Instagram is a photo - apportion app and TikTok is a video recording - share app ” , the melodic line have smudge over recent age . TikTok has shoot to the top of the app store , beating out Instagram as thenumber one downloaded app in 2021 , and Instagram has , in turn , pivot its strategy to focus more on short - form videos .
Here ’s everything you need to know about the two apps , including when they launch , who they ’re aimed at , who have them and whether you should be interested about your security department .
When did Instagram and TikTok launch?
When it comes to their launching dates , Instagram is definitely the longer - abide app of the two .
The app originally plunge in October 2010 , meaning it ’ll be enter its teenager in 2023 . It was n’t long before Instagram joined Meta ( then Facebook ) in 2012 when the social medium giant bought the pic - apportion app for $ 1 billion .
TikTok has a slightly more complicated chronicle , but is still the younger of the two apps .
Formosan technical school company ByteDance found the television - sharing app A.me in 2016 . That app was later rebranded to Douyin , a name that is still used in China today . ByteDance expanded the app into the international markets under the name TikTok just one year later , but it was n’t until TikTok merged with lip - sync app Musical.ly in 2018 that the app really start to blow up in the US and UK .
Who are they for?
Both Instagram and TikTok are aimed at people of all ages , but research suggests that TikTok attracts a young demographic compared to Instagram .
accord to a blog post bySprout , Instagram has two billion monthly active users , with its expectant age radical ( 31.2 % ) being users between the ages of 25 to 34 and a further 31 % between the ages of 18 to 24 . This think of that two - thirds of Instagram ’s user base are grownup between the ages of 18 and 34 .
TikTok , meanwhile , has one billion monthly active users but its enceinte age group is teen between the ages of 10 to 19 , with this age group make up 25 % of users .
Both apps have also been pushing for more creator over the age , introducing incentives likeInstagram Bonus programmesand theTikTok Creator Fundto soak up in more video makers , artists and influencers .
Who owns them?
While both Instagram and TikTok are incredibly popular , their parent companies have both had their fair share of scandal .
Instagram is own by Meta , the American tech giant that also owns Facebook and WhatsApp to name a few of its serving .
Meta took a huge hit to its reputation after it was revealed that consulting firm Cambridge Analytica had collected Facebook user data to apply in political advertising .
TikTok , meanwhile , was founded by ByteDance , a Taiwanese tech society that own Douyin and video editing app CapCut .
The company has been criminate of work with the Chinese Communist Party to ban content on the app and the Trump administration announce plans to ban the app in the US in 2020 due to care over security . However , the ban was ultimately revoke by Biden in 2021 .
Are Instagram and TikTok secure?
So , are Instagram and TikTok actually secure to use ? We necessitate security experts all the important enquiry regarding the apps and how they care your data in 2021 .
you may read our full guides by visiting ‘ Is Instagram secure ? ’ and ‘ Is TikTok secure ? ’ , but here are a few of our primal takeaways from each .
“ While you may believe that sharing photograph on Instagram is risk - liberal , the information you share on any on-line entity – know as your digital footprint – can provide worthful details for drudge and postulate to be cautiously considered before it ’s posted ” , said Antony Demetriades , vice Chief Executive at McAfee .
“ The more info a hacker has about you , the better equipped they are to craft a aim onset , and therefore users of social media political program , such as Instagram , are prime fair game for cybercriminals ” .
“ cyber-terrorist do direct Instagram and it ’s usually done en masse shot in an automatize fashion , such as sending unsolicited link to offers and products . By building networks that have many followers ( generally all simulated accounts ) , they can look to be a trusted root ” , tell Tom Gaffney , principal security expert at F - Secure .
“ What they want is for drug user to cluck on tie-in that download malicious software to their twist that harvests personal item which is used in identity theft . They will sometimes just need you to wish or survey their substance as it makes the bastard accounts attend more authentic ” .
“ TikTok carries many of the same risks as other social networks like Instagram and Snapchat . TikTok call for personal selective information about its users for advertizement purposes ” , said Paul Bischoff , editor of Comparitech .
“ Third parties can get that information by argufy it . TikTok is possess by a Chinese company . Although there ’s been no grounds that the Chinese government spies on TikTok substance abuser , you probably should n’t apply it if you work for the federal regime or are want to protect trade secret ” .
Are they safe for kids?
TikTok and Instagram both have strict age restrictions , meaning kids younger than 13 are not allowed to join the apps .
Neither TikTok nor Instagram has an age check process in post when you create an account , but , if either app believes you to be under 13 , your account will be banned from that platform . You ’ll then want to render an appeal to turn out you ’re erstwhile enough to expend the app , or just come back when you ’re 13 .
