How to Set Up TikTok Parental Controls in 2024?

TikTok, apart from being the king of content, can also become an addiction for young minds. A large proportion of the consumer base consists of users aged 10 to 19 years. This is why inappropriate content, excessive screen time, and security threats loom large in the minds of parents, and thus they keep looking for options for TikTok Parental Control.

When it comes to TikTok parental controls, the app itself offers several privacy and safety settings to make it safer for teens. So, to ensure your child uses this app for entertainment purposes only, go through this write-up to make the relevant changes.

I need parental control on tiktok

— Westin Appleton (@westinappleton) May 16, 2020

Quick Tip 💡You can make changes to TikTok’s privacy settings to make the app safer and manage screen time to avoid limitless usage for your children.

Why TikTok Needs Parental Controls?

TikTok is used globally to watch and share short, entertaining videos. The videos can belong to several categories and some might contain inappropriate content.

Even though there’s an age limit of 13 and the platform has strict community guidelines, it is still possible to come across a video with mildly explicit content. Some videos often include fantasy violence, narcotic references, and explicit language.

Hence, the need for parental control on Tik Tok seems obvious. As the app has no built-in options, you should know how to make a few changes to the Settings.

How to Set Up TikTok Parental Controls?

As mentioned earlier, there are no built-in Android or iPhone parental control settings for TikTok. Instead, you must take the following measures to ensure your child’s safety.

Family Pairing allows a parent to customize settings on their teen’s TikTok. All you need to do is link your account with your kid. Follow these steps:

• Open and log in to the TikTok app.

• Tap the profile icon present at the bottom right.

  

• Now, tap the hamburger menu at the top right.

  

• Choose Settings and privacy from the list of options.

  

• Scroll down and tap Family Pairing.

  

• Tap Continue to begin.

  

• Now, Select the Parent option and tap Next.

  

• Invite your teen to pair their account with yours. You can either scan the code from their phone or tap on Send invite.

  

Once your kid accepts the invite, you’ll be able to manage and update the controls while using TikTok online. Moreover, the options available to control via Family Pairing are:

• Setting a daily limit for TikTok usage.
• Restrict exposure to explicit content.
• Restrict search for inappropriate keywords and hashtags.
• Set the account from public to private.
• Limit Direct Messages.
• Limit who can comment on posted clips.
• Limit who can see the liked videos.

By changing content preferences, you can restrict the videos that you may find inappropriate for your kid and filter any video keywords. Just go to Settings >> Content Preferences, and you’ll be able to access both of these options.

If you don’t wish to set up Family Pairing, TikTok allows you to limit daily screen time by following these steps:

• Open Settings and privacy, scroll down, and tap Screen time.

  

• Now, tap the first option “Daily screen time.”

  

• On the next screen, tap “Set daily screen time.”

  

• Now, select if you want to set the same limit for every day or customize the limit for each day. Choose either of the options given and tap Next to confirm.

  

• Select one of the options given or tap “Custom time” to set your own screen time limit.

  

Now, you’ll get notified by the app if you exceed the limited hours for using it.

A private account on TikTok means only your followers will be able to see your posted content. It works the same way as Instagram, hence, your Tik Tok profile picture, username, and bio will be visible to the other users.

Nevertheless, to switch to a private account:

• Open Settings and privacy and tap Privacy.

  

• Turn on the toggle for the Private account.

  

You can also turn off the toggle for Activity status if you like. It will hide your activity status on the platform.

Right below the Private account option, you’ll see Suggest your account to others. Turning this off means, your teen’s account will not appear in the list of suggested accounts to other users.  

Moreover, you get three options, meaning the account will be suggested to Contacts, Facebook friends, and People who open or send links to you. Just turn off the toggle for three options and you’re done. 

With the list of parental control options, you can also choose who can send a TikTok message to your kid. For this, you need to change the direct message (DM) settings by following these steps:

• Open Settings and privacy, and tap Privacy.

• Tap Direct messages under Interactions.

  

• Now, tap the first option Direct messages.

  

• Then, you’ll get a list of options – who can send you a direct message. To be on the safer side, tap on Friends.

  

Being a regular TikTok viewer, your child can definitely come across any inappropriate video or account. Hence, you must teach them how to report the video or account. To report a video on TikTok:

Tap the share button and choose “Report” from the list of options.

Once you tap Report, you’ll need to follow the on-screen prompts and choose Submit when you’re done. Moreover, following these instructions will also lead to blocking the user.

With Stitch, you can add to the content shared by other TikTok users and Duet will play your video side by side to someone else’s video. So, if your child is using TikTok, you can manage these two options.

• Go to Settings and privacy >> Privacy.

• You’ll find both of the options Duet and Stitch there, as shown in the image below. Tap on either of the options to make the changes.

  

• For instance, if you tap on Duet, you’ll have to proceed ahead by tapping on the first option given.

  

• Set it to “Only you” so that no other accounts can make a duet with your video.

  

• You can follow the same steps to manage the setting for Stitch.

  

With the Filter Comments option, the comments on your TikTok videos will remain hidden until you approve them. To set this:

• Go to Settings and privacy >> Privacy >> Comments.

  

• Tap the first option – Comments.

  

• Now, set the option according to your safety requirements. In case, you don’t want anyone to comment on your TikTok video, tap No one.

  

You can also filter comments by selecting Filter selected comment types. Just choose the specific keywords that you don’t want as comments on the video shared.

Other Tips to Keep Your Children Safe on TikTok

If you want to be sure of your children’s safety on TikTok, you can consider the following tips:

• Review App Permissions: Like all other apps, TikTok allows its users to make any changes in app permissions. Children usually ignore such settings and proceed to post videos that put their safety at risk. So, before you let your kids use the app, go through the settings first.

• Tell Them About TikTok’s Community Guidelines: Being a parent, it’s your responsibility to help your kids understand TikTok’s Community Guidelines. The app does not tolerate any kind of destructive, disturbing, or explicit content, and your children must know about it. Teach them how to report such videos that violate the guidelines.

• Help Your Children Identify Scams: Many predators on TikTok are well aware that most youngsters wish to become famous on the platform. So, it is a high possibility of falling victim to a scam.

• Discuss the Parental Controls: Tell your children about the security features of the app and the parental controls you’re about to set within the app. It’s better if your kids already know the benefits of parental control and the negative impact of the app.

Most TikTok videos are made for entertainment purposes only, but your children can surely come across some inappropriate ones. So, it is better to guide your kids before they start using the app. 

Did You Know? TikTok released TikTok for Younger Users in 2019 with limited features. This app is more appropriate for users under 13 years of age and comes with these safety factors:
It does not share user data. Imposes a lot of content restrictions.Prevents interactions between the users.

What Else a Parent Should Know About TikTok?

As a concerned parent, you must be aware of all kinds of social media platforms, especially the ones on which your children wish to have an account. That said, here’s all you need to know about TikTok’s privacy features and safety:

• Content – Despite taking several strict measures, it is still possible to find profane, explicit, and toxic content on TikTok. You can try a few parental controls, but that doesn’t guarantee 100% safety.

• Algorithm – TikTok’s algorithm works smartly and can easily profile the users with micro-interactions. From the videos to the ads you see on the platform, everything is based on your interactions or searches.

• Online shopping – TikTok comes with a dedicated “Shop” tab that can be used to purchase items.

• Challenges – Creators often share videos in which they’re doing something weird, funny, bizarre, or even dangerous. And, challenge the users to do the same. Mind you, while completing some challenges, people have lost their lives too!

Bottom Line – Is TikTok Safe for Children?

Social media can help your kids learn a few things and get familiarized, with the latest trends. However, there’s always a risk of getting addicted to the app or getting prone to any online threats. 

With the help of parental controls, you put these risks to a minimum and ensure a safe experience for your children.