TikTok Privacy Update for Teens: New Default Settings

TikTok has announced updates to its platform designed to enhance safety for its younger audience. The company will now automatically set accounts belonging to users aged 13 to 15 to private, alongside implementing stricter controls regarding interactions and content access for all users under the age of 18.

Furthermore, TikTok is establishing a collaboration with Common Sense Networks, a media organization dedicated to the creation and curation of media experiences suitable for children and families.

In 2019, the social video application faced a $5.7 million fine from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for non-compliance with U.S. children’s privacy regulations. The FTC’s investigation began while the platform was operating as Musical.ly. Prior to being acquired by ByteDance, the earlier iteration of the app had gathered personal data from individuals under 13 without obtaining parental consent.

Following this ruling, TikTok developed a new, compliant environment for younger users in the U.S., featuring age-appropriate content and prohibiting video publishing.

TikTok is now extending these restrictions to other minors who are over the age of 13.

For users between 13 and 15 years old, accounts will be private by default, and the option to “Suggest your account to others” will be disabled. This ensures that videos are only visible to approved followers and prevents the account from being broadly recommended within the app.

Commenting features are also being adjusted for this age group.

Users will be able to select either “Friends” or “No One” for comment permissions, removing the “Everyone” option. Additionally, the Duet and Stitch functionalities will be unavailable, limiting interaction with other users and their content. Video downloads will also be disabled.

For those aged 16 to 17, the default setting for Duet and Stitch will be “Friends,” and video downloads will be limited to content created by users 16 and older. Downloads of their own videos will be turned off by default, though users can choose to enable them.

TikTok had previously implemented restrictions for younger users, including an age-gated experience for those under 13, as well as limitations on direct messaging and livestreaming for accounts under 16, and restrictions on virtual gifts for those under 18. The Family Pairing feature also provides parents with controls over their child’s app experience, including screen time limits.

While these safeguards are in place, users who misrepresent their age during sign-up may be able to circumvent them. However, it remains uncommon for a major social media platform to proactively address the presence of underage users.

TikTok’s substantial user base includes a significant proportion of young people—estimates suggest that 41% of TikTok users are between 16 and 24 years old. In the U.S., the platform has particularly attracted a large teenage demographic. In 2020, the company reported that 60% of its 26.5 million monthly active users in the U.S. fell within the 16-24 age range. Many prominent TikTok creators, such as Charli D’Amelio, are also teenagers.

The focus on safety and parental controls has been met with approval from youth safety advocates, which TikTok has highlighted.

Today, TikTok is sharing positive feedback received from the National PTA, ConnectSafely, NCMEC, Family Online Safety Institute and WeProtect Global Alliance. These organizations believe the changes will enable teenagers to use the app more securely, responsibly, and with reduced risk of exploitation.

“We are very pleased to be collaborating with TikTok to develop improved content experiences for users under the age of 13,” stated Eric Berger, CEO of Common Sense Networks, regarding his organization’s partnership with the social video platform. “At Common Sense Networks, we view this collaboration as an opportunity to reinforce our dedication to enhancing the quality of digital media for children, ensuring that age-appropriate content is the standard rather than the exception,” he added.

These changes are being implemented starting today.

Correction: Common Sense Networks is a for-profit affiliate of a nonprofit (Common Sense Media.) References to it being a nonprofit were removed.