TikTok

How TikTok works

TikTok is a social entertainment app that lets users create and share short-form content, ranging from 15 seconds to 3 minutes. Users can like, share and comment on videos. There are other features in TikTok which are restricted for users aged 13 to 15.

Its simple design, personalised content feed and wide-ranging content make it popular among young people for entertainment, socialisation and education.

Minimum age requirements

Users must be 13 or older to use the platform. However, joining TikTok does not require age verification.

Lack of age verification leaves younger users at risk of exposure to content not appropriate for their age or development. Additionally, if they use an adult’s birthday, they will not benefit from any safety features associated with teen accounts.

TikTok is rolling out an age assurance system that monitors user behaviour to identify and suspend any accounts that they suspect are owned by a user under the age of 13. This will be done automatically by the platform and will require no parental input.

Features

Duet

Users aged 16 or older can select ‘Duet’ on chosen videos, which lets them film a short reaction or complementary video to the original. It might be used to respond to a video or duplicate a dance or challenge.

Family Pairing

A setting that you can use to gain parental oversight over your child’s TikTok account to help set boundaries and build healthy digital habits.

Gift

Users aged 18 or older can send gifts to content creators via their LIVE broadcasts or on regular videos. These gifts cost real currency and is a way for creators to earn money from fans.

LIVE

Users aged 18 or older can broadcast videos and interact with other users in real-time. Anyone can watch a LIVE but users must be 18 or older to send a gift.

Shop

Users can browse for and buy a range of items posted by TikTok sellers. Sellers can also share items for sale via videos and TikTok LIVE. Sellers must go through an age verification process to prove they are 18 or older.

STEM

An optional feed on TikTok, which you can prioritise for your child using Family Pairing. It only shares content related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).

Stitch

Users aged 16 or older can take clips of existing videos and add them to their own videos.

TikTok Studio

A separate app which lets TikTok creators manage their account and content creation using a wider range of tools than those available in the regular TikTok app.

Terms

_Tok (for example, BookTok)

This refers to specific content and communities which focus on that content. For example, #BookTok will lead to content about books and writing while #DIYTok will lead to content about DIY and #FitTok will feature content about fitness.

Add Yours

Prompts which users can give others, encouraging people to share a picture of their response. For example, someone might post a picture of their pet and say ‘show me your pet’. Users can then post a picture of their own pet and select that prompt to respond to. You can then see a feed just of those responses.

Challenge

A task that users set for others to record themselves doing.

FYP

Refers to the For You feed (For You Page), which features content suggestions based on users’ interests and browsing habits. Users under 16 cannot have their content featured on others’ feeds.

Stickers

Users can create stickers from videos and photos on TikTok. This could be a still shot from a video or a cropped portion of an image. They can then save and share this sticker on their own content.

Stories

Users can add content to their Story, which Friends can see for up to 24 hours.

What TikTok offers

Creative outlet

Users have a range of tools to express themselves on TikTok. From creating themed video content to learning creative skills, many young people see TikTok as more than a platform to only consume content.

Finding community

Hashtags and suggested content on the FYP can help young people find accounts and users who share similar interests. While some communities might share toxic ideals, others can help young people feel less alone or more informed about themselves.

Education and learning

Alongside the STEM feed, many creators share educational content and information about the world.

Managing risks

Inappropriate content

While TikTok has Community Guidelines that user must follow, sometimes content gets through filters. If it’s not reported by users, it might stay up for longer than it should.

With so many people uploading content all over the world, coming across content which is violent, sexist, incorrect or harmful in other ways can happen.

There are steps you and your child can take to reduce the likelihood of them seeing inappropriate content on TikTok:

Report content

Encourage your child to report content which they think might break the rules. It’s better to report if they’re unsure. This helps get harmful content removed.

Manage the algorithm

Encourage your child to tell the algorithm they’re ‘Not interested’ in content which is distressing or inappropriate.

Fact-check information

Encourage your child to think critically about content they see on TikTok, including content which might be AI-generated. They should fact-check using sources outside of TikTok before interacting with or sharing the content.

Use Family Pairing

Use Family Pairing to customise your child’s feed. You can use it to filter out certain keywords, turn on the STEM feed, enable Restricted Mode and see which topics your child allows on their feed.

Grooming and manipulation from strangers

TikTok encourages comments and engagement on its platform, which can support community but can also leave young people open to unwanted contact from strangers.

Users under 16 years old will have private accounts, and users under 18 years of age will not have their account suggested to others. Ensure your child has entered the correct age when setting up their account to ensure they benefit from these safety settings.

Bullying and hate

Features like ‘Stitch’ and ‘Duet’, which allow users to feature content made by other users in their own videos, have the potential to be used to make unkind reactions to other user’s content.

Even if a child is not the victim or perpetrator of bullying, seeing it while using the app can desensitise them to bullying. If your child is involved or exposed to hateful behaviour while using TikTok, these are some steps you can take.

Talk about bullying

Talk to them about the bullying they see online. Ask them to imagine how they would feel if they were on the receiving end of the unkind comments or reactions.

Encourage reporting

Encourage them to report any instances of bullying they see while on the app.

Tell them to avoid responding

If your child is receiving unkind messages, they should block and report the perpetrator, rather than attempting to respond to the hate.

Infinite scrolling and screen time

TikTok is designed to keep users engaged for extended periods. It uses an infinite scroll design to keep users watching a never-ending stream of content for long periods of time.

To help counter the risk of too much screen time, TikTok has introduced automatic limits for users aged 13 to 15, including:

turning off push notifications after 10PM to encourage uninterrupted sleep.
a maximum daily limit of 60 minutes by default

However, your child can manually customise this.

Ensure your child has entered the correct age when setting up their account to ensure they benefit from these settings.

Impacts on self-image

Like other social media platforms, many TikTok accounts can show an idealised version of life.

The following are ways you can help your child manage impacts on their self-image.

Discuss their online life

Have regular conversations with them about their online life, including the accounts they follow and what they enjoy about the content they see.

Encourage positive content feeds

Encourage your child to interact with content which supports their skills and interests rather than outward appearance or what they think others might like.

You could also use Family Pairing to bring STEM content into their For You feed. This will reduce the chance of them coming across content which might impact their self-esteem.

Settings to protect your child

If you’re concerned about your child’s use of TikTok, the following settings may make their experience on the app safer.

Set up Family Pairing

Family Pairing allows you to set restrictions around screen time, content, privacy and users who can contact them. You will need your own TikTok Account

To set up Family Pairing:

login to your TikTok account
on your profile, select the menu in the top right corner
select ‘Settings and privacy’
go to ‘Family Pairing’
follow the on-screen instructions to set up ‘Family Pairing’
your child will need to go to ‘Family Pairing’ on their app to complete the connection

Review reporting and blocking tools

You can teach your child to use the reporting and blocking tools.

Report or block content

While watching a video, select the share icon in the side menu.
Select ‘Report’ to report something in the video or ‘Not interested’ to reduce recommendations for similar content.

Report or block users

Go to the user’s profile.
Select the share icon in the top right corner.
Select ‘Report’ to report a user for breaking the rules or ‘Block’ to keep the user from seeing content or contacting your child.

Note: You can also block users for your child using Family Pairing.

Customise your child’s feed

With Family Pairing, you can help curate your child’s For You feed to reduce the chances of them coming across harmful or triggering content. These changes can also be made using your child’s account.

Customise content with Family Pairing

Access the Family Pairing menu on your own TikTok account.
Select ‘Content preferences’ and choose from:
- Filter keywords: when you add a word here, content which includes that word won’t be recommended
- STEM feed: when turned on, your child’s For You feed will feature content related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths
- Restricted Mode: When turned on, this will limit your child from seeing content that is not suitable for all audiences

Note: Restricted Mode will also keep your child from logging out and switching to another account.

Customise content on your child’s account

On your child’s account, access the ‘Settings and privacy’ menu.
Select ‘Content preferences’.
In addition to Filter keywords, STEM feed and Restricted Mode, your child can ‘restart’ the algorithm by selecting ‘Refresh your For You’ feed.

Set screen time limits

You can encourage your child to use screen time settings in their app, and you can set limits with Family Pairing.

Manage screen time with Family Pairing

Access the ‘Family Pairing’ menu on your account.
Select ‘Screen time’.
Select ‘Daily screen time’.
Customise how much time your child can use TikTok for on a daily basis.
Return to the previous menu and select ‘Schedule time away’.
Turn on time away using the toggle.
Set the times when your child can’t use TikTok.
Return to the previous screen and turn on ‘Weekly screen time updates’ using the toggle to gain insight into your child’s app usage.

Manage screen time on your child’s account

Access the ‘Settings and privacy’ menu on your child’s account and select ‘Screen time’.
Select ‘Daily screen time’ and set the daily limit.
Return to the menu and select ‘Screen time breaks’.
Choose how often the app should remind your child to take breaks.
Return to the menu and select ‘Sleep reminders’.
Set a time to start receiving reminders to go to sleep.

Note: Some settings cannot be altered if they’re already managed through Family Pairing.