TikTok is officially for users 13+, but 12-year-olds can access a limited, curated version in the US, though many experts suggest strong parental controls or restrictions are crucial due to risks like harmful content, data collection, and exposure to mature themes, even with default privacy settings for teens. Parents should use TikTok's Family Pairing tools to monitor usage and consider if the app is appropriate for their child's maturity level, as the platform doesn't perfectly filter all inappropriate content or predators.
Jean Twenge, our nation's leading researcher on how social media impacts child and adolescent development, recommends that no child under 13 should be on any social media, including TikTok. And I would add that many 13-year-olds aren't ready. TikTok offers a curated version of their app for under-13s. Don't use it.
The “3-second rule” is TikTok's shorthand for advising that you only have three seconds to hook viewers. If you can keep viewers engaged beyond three seconds, your chances of ranking on the FYP rise significantly.
You must be 13 years old or above to have a TikTok account. This general age restriction may differ depending on your region. If TikTok finds an account owned by somebody younger than 13, they will take it down. There are further content restrictions put in place for people under the age of 18.
Officially, you must be 13 years old to use TikTok. However, to download the app on the Apple and Google Play stores, the age limit is set at 12, which can lead to confusion. To be on the safe side, you should only permit your child to create a TikTok account when they are at least 13 years old.
Among kids under age 13 (i.e., 11- and 12-year-olds), they found: 63.8% reported using social media. They had an average of 3.38 social media accounts. Among the 63.8% with a social media account, TikTok was most popular, with 68.2% saying they have an account.
Manage your teen's account
As a parent or guardian, you can use Family Pairing on TikTok to customize safety settings for your teen based on individual needs. Everyone on TikTok, including your teen, can unpublish their account by deactivating or permanently deleting their account.
You can customise your teen's content with parental controls on TikTok through Family Pairing. This includes filtering keywords, using the STEM feed feature and turning on Restricted Mode. Teens can customise certain content in their app as well.
We'd only recommend CapCut for older kids —about 12 and up — if it's not connected to a TikTok account. But we encourage parents to consider the potential dangers beforehand and talk to their kids about how to post responsibly.
TikTok may ban your account if we believe you're under 13 years old (or other ages as indicated in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service). If you believe we made a mistake, you may submit an appeal. What happens if your TikTok account is banned?
Content that promotes criminal activities like assaulting or kidnapping. Content that risks the safety of others, including pranks like swatting. Content that is excessively gruesome or shocking, especially that promotes or glorifies abject violence or suffering. Content that promotes self-harm or suicide.
TikTok doesn't pay per view. Instead, it pays per 1,000 views. TikTok pays between $0.02 - $0.04 per 1000 views for a creator's video via the “TikTok Creators Fund.” TikTok has been actively launching programs to boost the earnings of the creators and influencers on TikTok.
It lets you set a daily screen time limit so that you get notified when you reach that time on TikTok. You can turn this setting on and off at any time. You can also view your screen time summary in your activity center. Note: If you're between the ages of 13 and 17, the setting is turned on by default to 1 hour.
Unwanted interactions and exposure
On TikTok, messages, friend requests, comments, duets, and other interactions can be sent by anyone, even if you're not connected. This means your child's profile and content could be exposed to people they don't know. On Snapchat, ephemeral content adds another layer of risk.
However, for people under 13 years old in the U.S., we have a separate TikTok experience specifically designed for younger people. Important things to know about this experience: All accounts are private. Videos can be created but not posted.
Whether it's mastering creative transitions, trying photography tricks, or exploring new forms of self-expression like drawing or playing instruments, TikTok can be an excellent platform for kids looking to break through creative blocks while learning valuable skills.
TikTok can be a fun and creative platform for kids when used responsibly. However, there are potential risks associated with using the app. Parents should be proactive in ensuring their child's online safety by setting up parental controls, discussing online safety, and monitoring their child's usage.
Kidoodle.TV offers safe, engaging content for kids in a secure, family-friendly space. Kidoodle.TV is COPPA compliant.
Inappropriate content
Users on CapCut can share their own visuals, audio clips and video templates with other users. This content can sometimes include mature topics, such as being based around violence, inappropriate language or sexual themes. The app only lets approved creators share their content publicly.
Parent guidance:
If your child is younger than 13, strongly consider not allowing them a public-facing TikTok account, or only allow under very strict supervision. Even at 13-15, monitor their usage, feed, connections and posted content.
Approximately 56.1% of TikTok users identify as female, compared to 43.9% male. Notably, a significant portion of users falls within younger age groups: about 36.2% of users are aged 18-24, with another 34% aged 25-34. Furthermore, around 25% of TikTok users are under 20 years old.
In the UK, TikTok is rated ages 13 and up, but even if a parent uses the built-in safety features of TikTok and other social media apps, children may be able to overcome them simply by finding a how-to guide online. Have conversations with your child to help them learn how to take more control over their screen time.
With FamilyTime, monitor your kids' TikTok experience and decide content they may watch without pairing the TikTok app. FamilyTime allows you to: Monitor the list of the channels that your kids visit on a certain day. Check the video history to see the film's metadata and what your children have watched.
Family Pairing is a TikTok parental control feature that allows a parent to link their TikTok account to their teen's account and set controls for the following:
How to turn Restricted Mode on or off