Should They Play?The parents' guide to apps and games

Should I let my child use TikTok?

18+

No

Not for under-18s right now. US states are suing TikTok over the exploitation of children, and those cases are still open.

TikTok has real protections for younger teens: under-16s can't send or receive direct messages, and comments on their videos are limited to friends. But the risks go beyond messages. US states, including New Hampshire, are suing TikTok over livestreams (TikTok LIVE), where they say children have been sexually and financially exploited through paid virtual gifts. Those cases are still open, so our answer is no. Regulators in the EU and UK are also investigating how TikTok protects children's accounts and keeps harmful videos from them. If your teenager already uses it, the steps below reduce the risks.

TikTok fails 3 of our 7 safety checks. See how we decided, and the official age ratings

Last checked . TikTok is made by TikTok (ByteDance) and runs on iPhone & iPad, Android, Web.

What is TikTok?

TikTok is an app for watching and posting short videos. An endless feed picks videos for each person, and users can comment, message, shop and watch or host livestreams. TikTok says users must be at least 13.

Our advice by age

Under 13
NoTikTok's own minimum age is 13, and Common Sense Media agrees. Younger children often join by giving a false date of birth.
13 to 15
NoUnder-16s get safer defaults: no direct messages, comments only from friends, and their videos aren't shown to strangers in the feed. But they can still watch and comment on livestreams, and the cases over children's safety are open.
16 to 17
NoDirect messages switch on at 16, and older teens' videos can be shown to strangers. If your teenager already uses TikTok, set up every step below.

What to watch out for

  • Contact from strangersRisk is high by default, medium with controls on

    Under-16s can't use direct messages, but anyone can watch and comment on livestreams, and from 16 strangers can message. US states say adults have paid children for sexual acts through livestream gifts. TikTok doesn't check ages reliably, so a child who gives a false birthday loses the under-16 protections.

  • Harmful videosRisk is high by default, medium with controls on

    The feed learns what keeps your child watching, which can lead to videos about self-harm, eating disorders, dangerous challenges or adult content. Keyword filters and Restricted Mode help, but don't catch everything. The UK regulator Ofcom is investigating this.

  • Time and wellbeingRisk is high by default, medium with controls on

    The endless feed is built to keep people scrolling. Teens get a 60-minute daily limit by default, but they can carry on unless you set the limit through Family Pairing, which needs your passcode.

  • SpendingRisk is medium by default, low with controls on

    TikTok Shop sells products inside the app, and coins buy gifts for livestreamers. Purchase approval on your child's phone stops surprise bills.

What's good about it

  • Creative, funny and educational videos alongside the risks
  • Under-16s get no direct messages and friends-only comments, which they can't change
  • Family Pairing gives parents real controls over time, messages, comments and the feed

If your child already uses it

If your child already uses TikTok, these steps make it much safer. Takes about ten minutes. Do it with your child so they know what's switched on and why.

  1. Use your child's real date of birth

    Under-16 protections depend on it. A false birthday removes them.

  2. Link your account with Family Pairing

    In your child's settings, open Family Pairing and link it to your own TikTok account.

  3. Turn off direct messages and limit comments

    In Family Pairing, set who can message your child to No one, and limit comments to friends or turn them off.

  4. Set a screen-time limit that needs your passcode

    Limits set through Family Pairing can only be extended with a passcode from you.

  5. Talk about livestreams and gifts

    Explain that no one should ask them for anything on a livestream, and that they should tell you if anyone offers gifts or asks to talk on another app.

  6. Filter the feed

    Add keyword filters in Family Pairing and turn on Restricted Mode to cut down on mature videos.

  7. Turn on purchase approval

    Use Ask to Buy on Apple, or purchase approval on Google Play.

Recent news

  1. TikTok accused by NY of running secret safety tests on teensClaims Journal

    New York's Attorney General says TikTok held back a safety feature from some US users to test whether it reduced time spent on the app.

  2. Pennsylvania Attorney General announces lawsuit, accusing TikTok of lacking safeguards for children6abc Philadelphia

    Pennsylvania says TikTok's 13+ rating misleads parents, because children can still reach adult material.

  3. Commission preliminarily finds TikTok in breach of the Digital Services Act for failing to ensure safe accounts for minorsEuropean Commission

    The EU says children's accounts can be made public and older teens' videos shown to strangers, and wants them private by default.

  4. Ofcom investigating TikTok over child safety concernsDeadline

    The UK regulator is investigating whether TikTok's age checks reliably identify children and keep harmful content from them.

  5. Florida Attorney General sues TikTok over child safety lawABC7 Sarasota

    Florida says TikTok lets under-14s open accounts and doesn't get parental consent for 14 and 15-year-olds, as state law requires.

Common questions

What age is TikTok suitable for?

Right now we don't recommend it for under-18s. TikTok's own minimum age is 13, and the App Store rates it 12+, but US states are suing TikTok over the exploitation of children on its livestreams, and those cases are still open.

Is TikTok safe for a 12-year-old?

No. TikTok requires users to be at least 13. Children who join by giving a false date of birth also lose the protections TikTok gives under-16s.

Can strangers message my child on TikTok?

Not if they're under 16 and gave their real age, because TikTok switches direct messages off for them. From 16, strangers can message unless you limit it through Family Pairing. At any age, strangers can talk to them in livestream comments.

What is TikTok LIVE and why does it matter?

LIVE is TikTok's livestreaming. Under-18s can watch and comment but can't host. Viewers can buy virtual gifts for hosts, and several US states say adults have used these gifts to exploit children. Talk to your child about never accepting gifts or requests from strangers.

All my child's friends use it. What should I do?

That's hard when friends are on it. We'd still say no for now, but explain why rather than just saying it: talk to your child about livestreams, strangers and how the feed keeps them watching. If your teenager already uses TikTok, link Family Pairing, turn off direct messages, set a time limit that needs your passcode and keep talking about what they see.

What would change your verdict?

The open cases over the exploitation of children ending well, and proof that parents can lock Family Pairing so teens can't switch it off. Even then, because anyone can post videos, the best possible answer would be 'only with conditions'.