TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with over 1 billion monthly active users. However, TikTok’s terms of service state that the minimum age to create an account is 13 years old. So can kids under 13 get TikTok? Let’s take a closer look at TikTok’s age requirements and the risks and benefits of kids under 13 using the platform.
TikTok’s Minimum Age Requirement
According to TikTok’s terms of service, the minimum age to create a TikTok account and use the platform is 13 years old. Here is an excerpt from TikTok’s terms of service regarding age requirements:
“You must be at least 13 years old to use the Services. If you are at least 13 years old but are under the age of majority in your jurisdiction, you must have your parent’s or legal guardian’s permission to use the Services.”
This age requirement of 13 years old is standard across most major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. law that requires websites and online services to obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13.
TikTok states that if they learn that a user is under 13, they will terminate the account. However, despite this rule, many kids under 13 still find ways to get TikTok.
Ways Kids Under 13 Use TikTok
Although TikTok requires users to be at least 13 years old, many younger kids are still finding ways to access and use the platform. Here are some of the common ways kids under 13 use TikTok:
- Lying about their age when creating an account
- Using a parent’s or older sibling’s device to access TikTok
- Creating an account with a parent’s permission using the parent’s date of birth
- Accessing TikTok without an account simply to watch videos
According to an online survey conducted by school social media monitoring company Bark, around 53% of children between the ages of 9 and 12 reported having access to TikTok, despite the age restrictions.
Lying About Their Age
One of the most common ways underage kids access TikTok is by simply lying about their age when creating an account. The sign-up process only requires entering a birth date, with no identity verification. Kids can easily enter a fake birthday that makes them appear older than 13.
Using a Parent’s Device
In many households, parents allow their under-13 kids to use their smartphone or tablet device. If the parent has TikTok downloaded on their device, the child can easily open the app and start using it to watch videos or create their own content.
Creating an Account with Parent Permission
Some parents choose to create a TikTok account for their under-13 child to use, with parental supervision. This involves the parent entering their own birthdate during account creation, then monitoring the child’s use of the app.
Accessing TikTok Without an Account
Even without creating an account, kids under 13 can access much of TikTok by simply opening the app. They can watch videos, see trending hashtag challenges, and see limited profiles of other users. However, without an account they cannot post videos or interact with other users.
Risks of Underage Kids Using TikTok
While some parents may allow their younger kids to use TikTok under supervision, there are some significant risks involved that parents should consider:
- Exposure to inappropriate content – TikTok’s algorithm can expose kids to sexually suggestive dancing, foul language, and mature content.
- Cyberbullying and negative comments – Kids may face hurtful comments on their videos.
- Predatory activity – Adults with bad intentions may reach out to underage users.
- Overuse and addiction – Young kids can get addicted to obsessively watching TikTok videos.
- Privacy risks – TikTok collects user data which raises privacy concerns, especially for children.
TikTok does have some safeguards in place, such as restricting messaging and duets with under-16 accounts. But ultimately, there is no foolproof way to prevent kids from being exposed to inappropriate content or contact.
Exposure to Inappropriate Content
Even with TikTok’s content moderation, some inappropriate videos can slip through the cracks. TikTok’s powerful recommendation algorithm is designed to keep users endlessly scrolling by suggesting videos similar to the ones they have already watched and engaged with. This can create an echo chamber effect where kids are exposed to increasingly mature content.
Risk of Cyberbullying
Like any social media platform, TikTok carries a risk of unkind comments, harassment, and cyberbullying. Kids under 13 may not have the emotional maturity to handle negative feedback on their videos and profiles. Mean comments can have an outsized impact on young children.
Predatory Activity
The open nature of TikTok with public videos and commenting enables predatory adults to contact underage kids on the platform. While TikTok has reporting mechanisms to identify inappropriate messaging between adults and children, predators are still known to lurk on the platform.
Overuse and Addiction
The addictive nature of TikTok’s endless stream of short videos can impact mental health and focus. Young children in particular may have difficulty practicing responsible screen time limits. Excessive TikTok use can negatively impact schoolwork, sleep, and face-to-face social connections.
Privacy Risks
As with any social media platform, TikTok’s data collection practices raise privacy concerns, especially when involving children under 13. TikTok tracks user behaviors, interests, and personal information which it uses for ad targeting purposes. Kids may not understand how their data is collected, shared, and monetized.
Benefits of TikTok for Kids
Despite the risks, some parents argue TikTok can also provide benefits for kids when used responsibly under parental supervision. Here are some of the advantages cited by supporters of under-13 TikTok use:
- Entertainment and laughs
- Develop creativity through creating videos
- Self-expression and fame
- Sense of community and belonging
- Learn new topics and skills
Entertainment and Laughs
Like any social media, TikTok can simply provide lighthearted entertainment and laughs for kids through funny videos. Used in moderation, it’s a modern-day alternative to kids watching cartoons or comedy shows on TV.
Creative Self-Expression
Creating videos requires creativity and self-expression as kids sing, dance, experiment with special effects and more. Having a positive creative outlet can build confidence.
Potential for Fame
TikTok has launched the careers of young influencers and musicians who have gained fame on the platform. The ability to find a large audience gives kids ambition and drive.
Sense of Community
TikTok enables kids to feel part of a community as they take part in collective challenges, trends, and experiences. Feeling accepted and part of a group can have social and emotional benefits.
New Skills and Knowledge
From DIY tutorials to educational facts, kids can learn new information and skills by following topics they’re interested in on TikTok.
Parental Controls
For parents who allow their under-13 kids to use TikTok, activating parental controls and supervision is highly recommended to maximize safety. Here are some TikTok safety features parents can use:
- Family Pairing – Link child’s account to parent’s to enable supervision features
- Restricted Mode – Limit appearance of inappropriate content
- Screen Time Management – Set daily time limits
- Direct Messages – Restrict who can message child’s account
- Comments – Turn off ability for others to comment on child’s videos
- Search – Restrict search terms to limit inappropriate content
Activating Family Pairing is the first step, allowing the parent to link their own TikTok account to their child’s in order to access the above supervision controls. Parents can choose settings based on the child’s maturity level and personal concerns.
Family Pairing
Family Pairing allows parents to link their TikTok account to their child’s account. Once paired, the parent can:
- Restrict Overall Screen Time
- Restrict Session Lengths
- Restrict Access at Certain Times, like bedtime
- Disable Direct Messages
- Restrict Inappropriate Content
Family Pairing requires the child’s consent, and they can unlink at any time. But it allows parents to maintain some level of control over their child’s TikTok activities.
Screen Time Controls
Parents can limit the total daily screen time available on their child’s TikTok account to a set number of minutes per day. This can prevent excessive TikTok use from interfering with school, family time, and sleep.
Direct Messaging Controls
Turning off direct messaging prevents strangers from contacting children on TikTok. This can protect kids from inappropriate messages or revealing personal information to strangers.
Restricted Mode
Enabling Restricted Mode attempts to limit age-inappropriate videos from appearing on a child’s feed. However, this setting is not fully comprehensive so some inappropriate content could get through.
Search Limitations
Parents can prevent certain keywords and hashtags from appearing in search results. This aims to limit exposure to dangerous challenges or inappropriate content.
Educational Alternatives
For parents who want to avoid TikTok completely for their under-13 child, some safer educational alternatives exist. Here are a few options:
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| YouTube Kids | YouTube’s child-friendly video app with parental controls |
| Math Blaster | Fun educational gaming app to learn math |
| Funbrain | Games and videos focused on math and reading skills |
| ABCmouse | Learning activities to build early reading, writing, math, science, and art skills |
YouTube Kids
YouTube Kids provides a more protected environment optimized for children with family-friendly videos, parental control settings, and content filters. It focuses on a tween audience over a teen audience.
Educational Gaming Apps
Apps like Math Blaster and Funbrain disguise learning as interactive games to engage kids. They allow children to build foundational skills in reading, writing, math, science and problem-solving.
ABCmouse
ABCmouse is an early learning academy designed for ages 2 to 8 years old. It uses interactive books, games, videos and puzzles to build literacy, math, science, health, social studies and art skills.
Conclusion
In summary, while TikTok’s minimum age is 13, many younger children under parental supervision still use the app by entering a false birthdate or accessing a parent’s account. While TikTok can help kids express creativity and find community, legitimate concerns exist around inappropriate content, cyberbullying, predation, and privacy risks. Parents allowing TikTok use by underage children are advised to utilize parental controls like Family Pairing. Alternative educational apps also exist to provide safer digital experiences for the under-13 demographic.