How to make TikTok safer for children

TikTok's minimum age

TikTok says its accounts are available for people at least 13 years old. Internet Matters notes that some features have higher age limits: TikTok's own help pages say direct messages are only available from 16.

TikTok is also due to change for younger teens in the UK. In June 2026 the government announced that social media platforms, including TikTok, will be blocked from offering services to under-16s. In its July 2026 response it said it expects this to come into force in spring 2027, once regulations go before Parliament. Until then, the settings below are what you have.

What teen accounts get by default

These come from TikTok's help page on teen privacy and safety settings. They depend on the date of birth your child entered, so an older age means weaker defaults.

A private account means only people your child approves can follow them and see their posts. TikTok points out that their nickname, username and profile photo are always visible to anyone, private or not, so keep those free of their full name, school or photos that show where they live.

Step 1: Link your accounts with Family Pairing

Family Pairing links your TikTok account to your child's so you can manage their settings from your own phone. TikTok says teens can always make their own settings stricter, but can't loosen the ones you set.

You'll need your own TikTok account. Then, on both phones:

1. In the TikTok app, tap Profile at the bottom.
2. Tap the Menu button (three lines) at the top, then Settings and privacy.
3. Tap Family Pairing, then Continue.
4. Choose Parent or Teen, tap Next, and follow the steps to link the accounts.

Internet Matters suggests reviewing the settings together.

Step 2: Choose your Family Pairing settings

To manage them later, go to Settings and privacy > Family Pairing and select your child's account. TikTok lists these controls:

• Daily screen time: set how long they can use TikTok each day, across all their devices. You get a passcode you can choose to give them for extra time.
• Screen time dashboard: daily time spent, and how often the app was opened, over the last four weeks.
• Schedule time away: set times, such as school hours, when TikTok isn't available. Your child can send you a request to continue.
• Mute push notifications: add quiet times on top of the defaults.
• Filter keywords: keep words and hashtags out of their feeds.
• Restricted Mode: limit content that may not be suitable for them.
• Search: decide whether they can search for videos, hashtags and LIVE videos.
• Discoverability: decide whether their account is private or public.
• Suggest account to others: decide whether TikTok recommends their account.
• Direct messages: decide who can message them (from 16).
• Comments, Liked posts and Reuse of content: decide who can comment, see their likes, or Duet and Stitch their videos.
• Manage blocked accounts: block accounts for your child and see their blocked list. TikTok says this isn't available everywhere yet.

TikTok also says that when Restricted Mode or a daily screen time limit is set through Family Pairing, your child can't log out or switch accounts in the app.

Step 3: Turn on Restricted Mode

Restricted Mode aims to hide content with mature or complex themes, such as swearing, sexually suggestive content, realistic violence and drugs. It also turns off the Following feed, going LIVE and LIVE gifts.

You can turn it on through Family Pairing, or on your child's phone:

1. Tap Profile, then the Menu button, then Settings and privacy.
2. Tap Content preferences, then Restricted Mode.
3. Follow the steps to set a passcode and turn it on.

If your child has more than one account, it needs turning on for each one. No filter catches everything, so treat it as one layer, not the whole answer.

Step 4: Show them how to report and block

Make sure your child knows how to do both, and that the other person isn't told.

• Report a video: tap the Share button, or press and hold the video, then tap Report, choose a reason and tap Submit.
• Block someone: go to their profile, tap the Share button at the top, then Block, and confirm.

Once blocked, TikTok says the two accounts can't see each other's posts, find each other in search or message each other. TikTok also notes your child may still see them in multi-host LIVEs, Duets posted by others or shared group chats.

When your child reports something, they can choose to let TikTok notify you. If you get one of those notices, ask them what happened before reacting.

Step 5: Keep talking

Internet Matters says parental controls can't work alone, and recommends regular conversations. Topics it suggests include:

• what is and isn't okay to share online
• the kind of content they enjoy
• worries you have, and what they do to stay safe
• how and when to use reporting and blocking
• what to do if they need support

Ask to be shown their favourite creators. Let them know they can tell you about anything upsetting without losing their phone.

If they use an iPhone, pair this with the device controls in how to make an iPhone safer for a child. Our Family Check helps you see what's set up across the family.

Sources

• Family Pairing — TikTok Help Center (opens in a new tab)
• Teen privacy and safety settings — TikTok Help Center (opens in a new tab)
• Restricted Mode — TikTok Help Center (opens in a new tab)
• Report a post — TikTok Help Center (opens in a new tab)
• Blocking someone — TikTok Help Center (opens in a new tab)
• TikTok safety guide for parents — Internet Matters (opens in a new tab)
• Social media to be banned for under-16s — GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
• Growing up in the online world: government response (July 2026) — GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)

Last checked: 22 September 2026