TikTok is one of the most popular platforms for watching and creating short videos. Although you can view TikTok content via its website, downloading the mobile app is the best way to explore features and learn how it works.
Getting started
When signing up, new users must enter their birthdate, and it’s important to provide the correct one to activate age-appropriate protections and safety features.
Children under 13: In the US, those under 13 are placed into an experience for younger users, a view-only version of the app with strict content, privacy, and safety protections.
Teens 13-15: These teens’ accounts are private by default. Users in this age group can’t access direct messaging or group chats, and their videos won’t appear in the For You feed. Other users can’t Duet or Stitch their content, create stickers from their videos, download their posts, or add them to Stories.
Teens 16-17: These older teens’ accounts are also set to private by default. The daily screen time limit for teens under 18 is 60 minutes. Teens can choose to spend additional time on TikTok, unless Family Pairing is enabled and managed by a parent or guardian.
Adults (18+): Only users 18 and older can use TikTok’s LIVE feature to stream in real time or send and receive virtual gifts during live streams. You also need to be an adult to buy or sell products through TikTok Shop.
Understanding TikTok
Feeds
- For You feed:
Once you log in, the app’s “For You” feed shows a personalized stream of content tailored by TikTok’s algorithm based on your activity, such as what you watch, like, share, or how long you watch each video. - Following feed:
This feed shows videos from accounts you follow. Unlike some “friend” models on other social networks, following on TikTok is one-directional; you can follow someone without them following you, and vice versa, which means that anyone can follow a feed that isn’t private. - Icons and interactions: When viewing a video, several icons appear on the right:
- Profile icon: Takes you to the creator’s profile.
- Heart icon: Like a video.
- Comments icon: Leave comments on the video.
- Share/Send icon: Enables video sharing on other platforms or via messaging. This icon also gives the option to report the video or indicate “not interested.”
Creating a video
You can create a video by tapping the + button at the bottom of the screen and following the prompts. Later, you can edit it with “Add Sound” to incorporate music or other sounds, adjust the speed, apply filters, and apply other effects. Videos can range from a few seconds to 60 minutes. Click here for more details.
Duets and Stitch
Duets lets you record side-by-side with an existing video. It is disabled for users aged 13–15. For users 16 or older, parental settings can limit who can create Duets with your teen’s videos.
Another popular format is Stitch, which lets users clip and respond to segments of other videos. It is also disabled for users aged 13–15.
Private vs. public accounts
Both public and private accounts have benefits. A public account can be a source of creative inspiration and connection with a diverse audience, while a private account limits interactions to approved followers only. Keeping the account private is generally recommended for younger teens, especially those under 16. Discussion between parents and teens is key to making the best choice for your family’s comfort level and trust.
TikTok digital wellbeing tools
TikTok has digital wellbeing tools for all accounts, regardless of age, like their Sleep Hours feature. By default, if a teen decides to use TikTok after 10pm, their viewing experience will be interrupted by a guided meditation exercise, helping them wind down for the night. If a teen decides to spend additional time on TikTok after the first reminder, they’ll be shown a second, harder to dismiss, full-screen prompt. Adults can turn on Sleep Hours at any time from the Screen Time settings page.
Another tool is Restricted Mode, which TikTok says “limits the appearance of content that may not be appropriate for all audiences.” Go to Settings and Privacy > Content Restrictions > Restricted Mode to access the tools.
Our testing shows that the use of Restricted Mode removes videos that may contain some violent and sexual content, resulting in a more PG experience. However, as with restricted modes on all apps, there is always the possibility that something could slip by the filters, and there may be content that might be inappropriate to some but could be appropriate to others, even in the same age range, which is why parents need to think about the settings based on what’s best for their teen.
Parental supervision tools
You have several options for supervising your teen’s experiences on TikTok.
Family Pairing
To manage how your teens use TikTok, you can enable Family Pairing, which links your TikTok account to your teens. This lets you:
- Block access to TikTok during customizable hours and set daily screen time limits
- Get a summary of how the teen spends time on the app
- Review the teen’s content preferences
- Make the account public or private
- Restrict who can message the teen, and more.
Go to Settings and Privacy > Family Pairing to set it up.
Device-Level Controls
On Apple Devices: Use Screen Time by navigating to Settings > Screen Time. Apple’s parental controls help manage app usage, set downtime, and restrict in-app purchases.
On Android Devices: The Google Family Link app helps parents manage specific app usage, set a security PIN, and block access to apps entirely. Additionally, the Google Play Store offers parental control apps that restrict app downloads and purchases by maturity rating.
Families looking for additional oversight can consider third-party tools like Bark, Qustodio, or Norton Family. These tools offer cross-platform monitoring and customizable alerts for content, screen time, and online activity.
For additional guidance, refer to ConnectSafely’s Family Guide to Parental Controls.
Deciding to use parental supervision tools
Whether or not to use parental supervision tools from TikTok, the device maker, or an outside company is personal. There is no “one size fits all” answer, and a lot depends on the child. Both age and maturity matter. Some questions to think about:
- Do they generally follow family rules?
- How likely are they to take risks?
- How is their impulse control?
- Are they careful with their device—or a device they borrow, say from a parent or older sibling—and sensitive information like passwords?
Most young teens just starting to use TikTok would benefit from a monitored experience and short discussions about why you chose the settings, such as restricting direct messages. But the long-term goal should be to wean them away from monitoring tools. As the saying goes, “we’re raising adults, not kids,” and it’s important to teach critical thinking and media literacy skills to help children make good decisions on and offline now and as they mature.
Remember, you are your child’s most important role model. Practice and discuss healthy tech habits together—like asking permission before posting someone’s photo (including your child’s), managing screen time (especially around family), keeping online comments respectful, fact-checking before sharing news, and using tools that support safe, positive social media use.
Talking with your teens about TikTok
We can’t overestimate the importance of having conversations with your teens about their use of TikTok and other online platforms, focusing on both the benefits and the risks. It should be a calm conversation, never a lecture or an inquisition.
Ask general questions like “What are your favorite apps, and why?” and “What do you do to protect your privacy and safety?” You might even want to ask them for their advice on protecting your safety, privacy, and security. You might be surprised and impressed by how much they know. Teens are often more aware of online risks and how to manage them than many adults.
What parents worry about
Of course, you also need to talk about the risks associated with all interactive technology, such as harm to body image, engaging in dangerous behavior, and harms associated with excessive use, false information, and more.
Yes, there are risks associated with being online, but that’s true with all technologies and activities, including cooking, driving, and sports. You can never avoid all risks, but you can manage risks, minimize the chances of something going wrong, and learn to recover when bad things happen.
Emotional impact
Perhaps the most common risks of digital platforms are distress over “FOMO” (fear of missing out) and sadness when teens compare themselves to others who may appear to be better looking, more popular or just living a better life. Remind your teen that things are not always as they appear and that some of these “beautiful” people are using filters, make-up, lighting, and – in some cases – even plastic surgery to look inauthentically “perfect” and to present a highlight reel of their life.
“Stranger danger”
Parents are rightfully concerned about who their teens interact with online, but “stranger danger” is often exaggerated. That’s not to say that bad things don’t happen, but severe negative experiences are uncommon, partly because most teens are pretty savvy about who they interact with. Still, it’s a good idea to go over some basic safety guidelines with your teen to make sure they are aware, for example, of what types of conversations to avoid and how to report anyone who is abusive and block anyone who is rude, creepy, or otherwise engages in inappropriate conduct or contact.
Viral challenges
You may have heard about dangerous online challenges like “devious licks,” but most viral challenges aren’t dangerous, and studies show most kids don’t participate in dangerous online challenges on TikTok or other apps. Also, TikTok’s Community Guidelines prohibit videos that promote or glorify dangerous behavior, and the company says that it swiftly removes violative content when it becomes aware of it.
When users attempt to search for content related to a harmful challenge, they will not receive any search results and will instead be shown an in-app guide featuring the 4-step process for engaging with an online challenge: Stop, Think, Decide & Act.
While there have been problematic challenges on TikTok and other platforms, most challenges are fun, light-hearted activities that people film themselves doing to share with and connect to the broader online community. A recent challenge that went viral is the revived #SpeakYourMIND Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness for youth mental health.
Still, it’s important to talk with your kids about dangerous challenges and hoaxes, which are pranks or tricks created to make viewers believe something frightening, but which aren’t true, and the peer pressure to participate. Some physical challenges are dangerous, especially if the person isn’t well trained, such as challenges involving performing a backflip, for example, or any other activity requiring a special skill.
Resources from TikTok
TikTok has several educational resources, including a Guardian’s Guide, a Well-Being Guide, and the Teen Safety Center. TikTok also offers a Digital Safety Partnership for Families, a template agreement designed to help families start conversations about their online experiences and set healthy digital boundaries together.
These tools are useful for parents to begin discussions about using TikTok safely. ConnectSafely also has safety resources in addition to this guide, including a Quick Guide, video interviews with TikTok executives, and a short video that highlights key safety features at ConnectSafely.org/tiktok.
Closing thoughts for parents
It’s easy for parents to feel intimidated or “out of the loop” when it comes to TikTok or any online platform, but relax, you don’t have to be a technology expert to know how to help your teen safely use TikTok or any other app. The “rules” for using any site or service are pretty similar. Everyone should be respectful of themselves and others, be mindful of what they post, and understand how to use any privacy settings, security tools, or blocking and reporting mechanisms.
And it’s not just about TikTok because there are other apps your teens use or will use, including new ones that may pop up at any time. While each app has its own unique features and safety tools, the risks and approach to managing risks are generally similar among all apps that allow people to interact.
So, no matter what tech your kids use, it’s important to keep the lines of communication as open as possible and to have ongoing conversations about what’s appropriate for them regarding privacy settings, time spent online, and the types of activities they’re engaging in. It generally works better to talk with your teen about their favorite tools, with genuine interest, not fear, because they’re more likely to come to you when they need help, and you’re much more likely to be kept in the loop about the technology that they use. As always, everyone needs to be respectful of themselves and others, be mindful of the effects of what they post on other people, and understand that anything they post can impact their reputation and, possibly, their future.
Finally, although TikTok can bring joy and happiness to teens, it’s important that they take off their headphones and put down their phones to interact with people in real life.
TikTok provides financial support to ConnectSafely. ConnectSafely is solely responsible for the content of this guide.