It’s impossible to escape the popularity of TikTok — from teens filming choreographed dances in public to elected officials sharing important information with their constituents, the app is used by 120 million Americans regularly. That number includes millions of children and teens, even though the official age to sign up for a TikTok account and share content is 13.
It’s estimated that 18% of U.S. TikTok users are under 18 and 2.5% are under age 11. Experts in the fields of education, mental health and online safety have raised concerns about TikTok’s safety, as well as the safety of social media as a whole, for children in recent years. Additionally, the United States government has even taken a stance against data mining by the Chinese-owned app.
That leaves parents with one question: Should I let my kids use TikTok? Kids are known for listing all the reasons parents should say yes — namely, that “everyone else uses it.” But it’s important to let them know that using the app is a big decision that requires some research into whether or not TikTok is safe for kids. Here’s what experts say.
What is TikTok, and how does it work?
In simple terms, TikTok is an app for sharing short videos. Most videos are under a minute long, though they can be up to 10 minutes in length. Users can create videos to share, share those made by creators they follow or “remix” their content with that of other creators.
TikTok is driven by an algorithm, like most social media, which means that the app provides users with “more of what they want” based on other videos they’ve watched or shared. The “For You” page (called FYP by most kids) shows videos the app thinks users will like based on their media consumption, while a separate “following” feed contains only videos from creators a user has followed.
Many people only use TikTok to consume videos, but for kids who create content, there are endless options to add music, graphics, remixes and more. Depending on your account settings, those videos can be reshared or remixed by other users.
“Waiting until your child is older and more emotionally resilient can help them better handle the pressures and risks associated with social media.”
— Dr. Willough Jenkins, psychiatrist
Does TikTok have an age limit?
“The official minimum age for TikTok is 13, but I do recommend waiting until high school,” says Dr. Willough Jenkins, a San Diego-based psychiatrist and TikTok content creator with nearly 50,000 followers. “Research shows that middle school is a particularly vulnerable time for youth, especially related to social media use.”
She cites a study published in 2019, which found that middle school-aged children are at higher risk of negative mental health outcomes from using social media. These include increased rates of anxiety and depression, as well as lower self-esteem.
“Waiting until your child is older and more emotionally resilient can help them better handle the pressures and risks associated with social media,” says Jenkins. “Even if your child is 13, a gradual approach works well — allow limited exposure with close supervision, and increase responsibility as they demonstrate maturity.”
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Is TikTok safe for kids?
This question is complex, says Jenkins. The app is not inherently unsafe, but teaching kids to use it safely is often difficult due to some of TikTok’s guidelines and the type of content on the platform. Here are some of the top safety concerns:
Age verification is limited
It is important to note that TikTok does not robustly verify the age of users, so it’s possible for children to sign up for unrestricted adult accounts by using a fake birthdate. While a credit card is required to verify that users are 18 before creating live content on the app, it’s the honor system otherwise.
That is worrisome for Crystal Britt, a licensed clinical social worker based in California who is a mom of two herself. “Kids are exposed to so much more, and the likelihood of seeing something that they’re not ready for is a lot higher.”
TikTok usage is difficult to monitor
One of the biggest safety concerns with TikTok is that it is notoriously hard for parents to monitor. Parental controls and family pairing only work if your child has created an account with their correct age and birthday. And when it comes to third-party parental control apps, most struggle to monitor content on TikTok, though some can monitor direct messages on the app.
Kids may be exposed to propaganda, bullying, and more
It can be difficult to distinguish between news and propaganda on TikTok, and there is also sexual content on the platform. Additionally, there is bullying and even dangerous challenges that kids may be tempted to try — all to create content.
TikTok could have harmful impacts on mental health
Both Britt and Jenkins have seen the effects of TikTok and other social media platforms on childhood mental health.
Britt describes herself as “chronically online” and creates content about mental health and parenting. As a result, she worries about her own kids — and others — learning to navigate the sometimes toxic world of online interactions. “For the undeveloped child brain, everything’s important and everything is particularly egocentric,” she says. This means what happens on social media can have real consequences.
Trolls that adults may easily brush off can create significant mental health issues for some kids. For others, content on the app and even the inability to stop scrolling present a significant hazard.
One mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, says she allowed her 15-year-old to get TikTok in order to nurture a friendship. But, when monitoring her child’s TikTok usage, she quickly became concerned about the way the app’s algorithm pummeled her child with concerning mental health content. Attempts to change the algorithm to show more positive videos did not succeed.
After the child spent time in a residential mental health facility, the family took a hard look at their TikTok usage and how it may have exacerbated their struggles. “My child’s father and I were frankly frightened by how extreme their reaction was at the thought of not having access to TikTok,” she recalls. Eventually, after deleting the app and removing access, that intense fixation waned. “They have no interest in getting back on it and I think they now think it’s unhealthy.
Does TikTok have parental controls?
Before deciding to allow your kids access to TikTok, it’s important to understand how much control you’ll have as a parent.
TikTok restrictions by age
Children under 13
While TikTok says users must be 13 to create and share content, the platform did recently launch the TikTok Under 13 Experience. According to their guidelines, users under 13 may create an account that allows them to watch and like videos on the For You Page, but they cannot comment on or reshare those videos.
Kids can also create their own videos, but can’t share them, and this account is automatically set to private. Videos for viewing by kids under 13 are curated by a partnership with Common Sense Media.
Teens ages 13-15
For younger teens, their accounts are also private by default — only friends can comment on their videos. There are restrictions on collaboration and sharing, as well as direct messaging. This age category comes with automatic parental restrictions as well.
Teens ages 16-17
For older teens, there are few automatic restrictions. Teens can choose to turn off push notifications, customize messaging settings to avoid contact with strangers and control who can reshare or download their content.
“Watching content as a family, discussing what your child sees and setting clear boundaries can turn TikTok into a positive and shared experience.”
— Dr. Willough Jenkins
TikTok safety for kids
Jenkins says the right age to gain access to TikTok will be different for every child. “Some children may be more vulnerable to negative content, may lack resilience skills or may struggle with empathy, making it harder for them to engage with the platform in a positive way.”
For these kids, it’s better to delay access, she adds. Once you do decide to grant access to TikTok, you can set guidelines and make it a positive experience in the following ways:
Use TikTok as a family
Britt says the best way she’s found to enjoy some of the benefits of TikTok with her kids, ages 5 and 10, is to watch it together. “There are some nights where they’re like, ‘Let’s watch TikToks.’ And so I will pull the funny ones that are appropriate for their age and humor, and I’ll cast them onto the TV,” she says.
Jenkins agrees that co-viewing the app is a great way to take the best of TikTok and leave the rest behind. “Watching content as a family, discussing what your child sees and setting clear boundaries can turn TikTok into a positive and shared experience,” she says.
Parents can guide kids towards educational or inspiring content and teach them how to balance fun with learning. “TikTok isn’t all bad,” adds Jenkins. “There are some potential upsides.”
Some of her top reasons for using TikTok as a family include:
- Creativity and self-expression: Kids can express themselves by creating their own videos, participating in trends and sharing their talents.
- Positive communities: Many creators focus on educational topics, mental health awareness, and cultural appreciation.
- Cultural exposure: TikTok’s global reach allows children to learn about different cultures and perspectives.
Set time limits
Set firm guidelines around how much time they’re allowed to spend on TikTok. This may differ from child to child, but it’s best to set clear expectations. Use parental monitoring apps to shut down the app if your child is pushing back on time limits.
Discuss appropriate and inappropriate content
Parents should discuss what’s appropriate to share online and explain the importance of privacy. Every family will have a different comfort level with what they share online, but it’s important to outline the family expectations together.
Talk about consequences for overuse
Kids should know what will happen if they don’t adhere to the family guidelines, whether that be loss of the app altogether or firmer restrictions.
The bottom line
Should kids use TikTok? Is TikTok bad for kids? And, if it’s not, what are the positive aspects of the app? These questions don’t have clear-cut answers, according to the experts. TikTok requires supervision and ongoing conversation to be used safely — and every kid will be ready at a different time.
“TikTok can be a creative outlet, but it comes with risks, particularly for younger children,” concludes Jenkins. “While TikTok offers opportunities for creativity and self-expression, the platform’s algorithm and interactive features can expose children to inappropriate content, negative influences, and risks like cyberbullying.” Parents should therefore proceed with caution.
