TikTok Safety 101
Help get your child set up safely with a new platform or app, with this quick reference guide.
What is it?
TikTok is a video-sharing app where users watch, create, and share short videos. Content is shown through a personalised feed called the “For You Page” (FYP), which is powered by an algorithm.
Users can:
- Watch an endless stream of short videos
- Create and edit their own videos with music, filters, and effects
- Like, comment, and share content
- Follow creators and friends
- Send private messages (DMs)
- Join trends, challenges, and hashtags
TikTok is highly algorithm-driven, meaning that content is suggested, not just followed. It is fast-moving and immersive with videos auto-playing continuously, and it can be influencer-heavy with trends, creators, and viral content shaping what users see.
For parents and caregivers the key thing to understand is that TikTok is primarily a content platform driven by an algorithm, where what your child watches quickly shapes what they see next.
Why it's popular
TikTok appeals to rangatahi because it:
- Offers an endless stream of entertaining videos
- Is easy to create and share content
- Shares trends, challenges, and music
- Provides a personalised feed that matches their interests
- Enables following favourite creators and influencers
What to watch out for
Exposure to inappropriate or mature content
TikTok’s 'For You Page' is designed to show a wide range of videos based on what a user watches and engages with. This can sometimes include adult themes, risky challenges, or other content that is not suited to your child’s age, even if they weren’t actively looking for it.
- Ask questions like, “What kind of videos are you seeing most?” to understand what is appearing in their feed. Help them recognise when content doesn’t feel right and reassure them they can scroll past it, leave it, or come to you if they feel unsure.
Messaging and contact with others
TikTok allows private messaging for some users, depending on their age and settings. This can create opportunities for contact with others, including people your child may not know well.
- Talk about who they message and what kind of conversations they’re having. Encourage them to keep communication limited to people they know and trust, and remind them they do not have to reply to everyone.
Algorithm influence
What your child watches, likes, or even lingers on helps shape what TikTok shows them next. Over time, this can strongly influence the kind of content that fills their feed and the messages or trends they are exposed to.
- Teach them to scroll past content they don’t like or don’t want to see more of. Show them how to use 'Not interested' so they can take more control over what appears in their feed.
Social comparison and trends
TikTok can create pressure for young people to look a certain way, behave a certain way, or join in with popular trends. Seeing a constant stream of highly edited, attention-grabbing content can make it hard to tell what is real, typical, or healthy.
- Talk about the difference between what’s real and what’s curated online. Helping your child understand that much of what they see is filtered, edited, or performative can reduce pressure and support their wellbeing.
Time and endless scrolling
TikTok is designed for continuous viewing, with one video leading quickly to the next. This can make it easy for young people to lose track of time and fall into “just one more video” behaviour.
- Help your child notice when they’ve been scrolling for a long time and encourage regular breaks. Gentle check-ins can support them to stay aware of their screen time without turning it into a conflict.
5 minute safety settings
Sit together and work through settings to put some basic protections in place, and talk about why they're important.
These settings are designed to reduce contact with strangers, limit inappropriate content and protect privacy.
Note: Settings and menu options may look slightly different depending on your child’s device and account, but these controls are the most important to check.
TikTok Family Pairing requires the parent or caregiver to have a TikTok account. You don’t need to actively use TikTok (post, follow, etc.); the account is mainly used to access and manage your child’s settings
- Download TikTok
- Create your own account
- Log in on your device
- Go to Profile
- Tap 'Menu' (☰)
- Select 'Settings and privacy'
- Tap 'Family Pairing'
- Select 'Parent'
- Tap 'Continue'
On your child’s phone:
- Go to Profile
- Tap 'Menu' (☰)
- Select 'Settings and privacy'
- Tap 'Family Pairing'
- Select 'Teen'
- Scan the QR code from the parent’s device
This allows you to manage settings like screen time, messaging, and content controls from your own device and is the most effective way to apply and maintain safety settings, especially if your child is just starting out in the platform.
- Go to Profile → Menu (☰)
- Tap 'Settings and privacy'
- Tap 'Privacy'
Turn ON:
- Private account
A private account limits who can see your child’s content and interact with them and means that only approved followers can view videos, comments, and interactions.
- Go to Profile → Menu (☰)
- Go to Settings and privacy
- Tap Privacy
- Tap Direct messages
Set:
- Friends or No one
This helps prevent unwanted contact from strangers. For users under 16, direct messaging is turned off by default but it is still worth checking that the setting hasn't changed.
- Go to Profile → Menu (☰)
- Go to 'Settings and privacy'
- Tap 'Content preferences'
- Tap 'Restricted Mode'
- Set a passcode
Restricted Mode helps limit exposure to mature or inappropriate content and may filter out some content that may not be suitable for younger users, though it may not catch everything.
- Go to Profile → Menu (☰)
- Go to 'Settings and privacy'
- Tap 'Privacy'
- Open:
- Comments
- Mentions and tags
Set each to:
- 'Friends' or 'No one'
You can control who can interact with your child’s content and this helps limit unwanted attention and interaction.
What else can help?
Support your child to navigate TikTok safely...
- TikTok’s 'For You Page' is shaped by what your child watches, likes, or even pauses on. Over time, this can strongly influence the type of content they see and how their feed feels. Encourage them to scroll past content they don’t like and use “Not interested” to help shape a more positive and age-appropriate feed.
- Spending a few minutes looking at your child’s 'For You Page' together can give you valuable insight into what they’re being shown. It also creates natural opportunities to talk about content, trends, and anything that stands out. This helps you stay connected to their experience without needing to monitor everything.
- TikTok is driven by trends and challenges, which can spread quickly and aren’t always safe or appropriate. Young people may feel encouraged to join in without fully thinking it through. Talk about the importance of thinking before participating and checking whether something feels safe, respectful, and right for them.
- On TikTok, there is always more content to watch, and not everything will be positive or relevant. It’s important for young people to know they don’t have to engage with every video they see. Reinforce that it’s okay to scroll past content that feels uncomfortable, confusing, or simply not interesting.
- TikTok is fast-paced and highly visual, which can have a strong emotional impact. Some content may leave young people feeling inspired, while other content may affect their mood or confidence. Ask simple questions like, “How do you feel after watching videos?” to help them reflect on their experience.
- TikTok trends, features, and content styles change quickly, so your child’s experience will keep evolving. Regular, low-pressure conversations help you stay connected and aware of what’s happening. Stay curious and keep checking in so they feel comfortable sharing their experiences with you.
Learn More
With the right settings and ongoing conversations, TikTok can be a an entertaining and creative space to explore, but the experience depends on what content your child is shown, who they interact with and how the algorithm shapes their feed.
Find more information on staying safe on Snapchat via the links below:
