How we decided on TikTok

Our safety checks

TikTok fails 3 of our 7 safety checks. We apply the same strict rules to every app and game.

1. Could we confirm every fact?

   ✗ No

   We couldn’t confirm 1 fact below, so it counts as a no. Rule 1

2. Is your child old enough for the official ratings?

   ! Only from 13

   Rated 13+ by Common Sense Media. Rule 2

3. Can you stop strangers contacting your child?

   ✗ Not confirmed

   Under-16s can’t use direct messages at all. For 16 and 17-year-olds, Family Pairing lets parents control who can message them, but TikTok doesn’t say whether teens can switch Family Pairing off. Rule 3Source

4. Is every risk under control once settings are on?

   ✓ Yes

   No risk stays high once every control is on. Rule 4

5. Is its child-safety record clear?

   ✗ No

   New Hampshire’s Attorney General is suing TikTok, saying its livestreams have enabled the sexual and financial exploitation of young users. Other states have made similar claims, and the cases are still open. Rule 5Source

6. Can you stop all spending?

   ✓ Yes

   Purchases go through Apple or Google, which let parents require approval for every purchase. Apple’s Ask to Buy is one example. Rule 6Source

7. Is everything checked before children see it?

   ! No

   Anyone can post videos, and the feed picks what each person sees. Most videos are not checked by a person before children see them. So the best we can say is “only with conditions”. Rule 7