How to Protect Your Kids While They Use TikTok

How to Protect Your Kids While They Use TikTok – Not long ago, cybercrimes like identity theft or business email compromise (BEC) felt like things hidden away on the Dark Web. Today, though, some of those same themes have shown up in “scam rap” – a music trend on TikTok that glamorizes online crime.

Kids who take these videos too seriously could end up as easy targets for scammers or even get pulled into illegal schemes.

And that’s just one of TikTok’s risks. Because of its wide reach and permissions, kids may also stumble across mature content, offensive hashtags, or unwanted messages. In fact, TikTok says it removed more than 113 million inappropriate videos in just one quarter of 2022.

But with the right parental settings and ongoing conversations, TikTok can still be a safe and fun app for kids. Here’s a simple guide to help.

Key TikTok Terms for Parents

Knowing the lingo makes it easier to talk to your kids about TikTok:

• For You feed: A personalized feed based on your child’s activity.

• Following feed: Videos from accounts your child follows — best kept to friends only.

• Challenges: Viral trends where users film themselves doing stunts or tasks. Some are harmless, others risky.

• Discover page: A hub for trending videos, hashtags, and creators.

• In-feed ads: Ads that look like regular TikTok videos.

• TikCode: A scannable code for following users.

• Duet/Stitch: Ways to remix or add to another user’s video (Stitch is only for ages 16+).

• TikTok Live: Live-streaming, available only for users over 18.

• Hashtags: Tags to find or share content.

7 Steps to Make TikTok Safer for Kids

1. Use Family Pairing:

Parents can link their TikTok accounts with their child’s to set rules around screen time, searches, privacy, and direct messages. This feature is only available in the mobile app.

2. Keep the account private

By default, accounts for 13–15-year-olds are set to private, but kids can change that. Check under Settings and Privacy to confirm the Private Account option is turned on.

3. Limit screen time:

TikTok lets you set daily time limits (40–120 minutes) and lock them with a passcode. You can also set app-wide limits on your child’s device through iOS or Android parental controls.

4. Adjust content preferences:

You can block certain users, filter out specific keywords or hashtags, and turn on Restricted Mode to reduce exposure to mature content.

5. Manage direct messages:

Kids under 16 can’t use DMs, and for ages 16–17 they default to “No one.” You can confirm this in Privacy settings or turn them off completely through Family Pairing.

6. Block or report suspicious users:

If someone bothers your child, block them through their profile. You can also report accounts that violate TikTok’s rules.

7. Report harmful videos:

Teach your kids how to report inappropriate content themselves. Press and hold the video, select Report, and follow the prompts.

More Ways to Protect Kids

Check app permissions: Review what TikTok can access on your child’s device and confirm privacy settings.

Talk about community guidelines: Explain that videos promoting violence, harassment, nudity, or crime break TikTok’s rules – and should be reported.

Warn about scams: Predators often promise fame or money in exchange for inappropriate videos, which can harm a child’s self-esteem. Remind kids that no one should pressure them into anything uncomfortable.

Use digital well-being tools together: Talk with your kids about how much time they spend on TikTok and how it affects their mood. These conversations build trust and help them reflect on their habits.

Encourage open communication: Let kids know they can come to you if something feels wrong online. Being a supportive listener makes them more likely to share.

Common Parent Questions

Does TikTok have age limits?

Yes. It’s rated 12+ on the App Store and “Parental Guidance Recommended” on Google Play. Kids under 13 aren’t allowed to have accounts.

Can I monitor my child’s activity?

Yes. You can use TikTok’s screen time limits, Restricted Mode, and Family Pairing tools.

How do I make my child’s account private?

Accounts for kids under 16 are private by default, but you can double-check under Settings and Privacy.

Final Tips

TikTok continues to roll out new safety features, but parents play the biggest role in keeping kids safe. Simple steps like updating contact info, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and checking which devices are logged in all add extra protection.

Most importantly, keep the conversation open. By staying involved and approachable, you’ll help your kids enjoy TikTok while steering clear of scams and harmful content.

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