Does TikTok have parental controls?

TikTok is one of the most popular apps in the world, especially with teens and preteens, because it’s effortless — open the app, and the entertainment begins. But behind that frictionless feed is a powerful surveillance engine that’s constantly observing, comparing, and optimizing for engagement. This optimization process works incredibly fast and can quickly lead your children into niche or disturbing content(nouvelle fenêtre).

Fortunately, TikTok has introduced new settings that automatically implement its strictest privacy settings for teenagers between 13 and 17. Still, you should know how TikTok works and what you, as a parent, should look out for.

This guide offers practical advice parents can use to help protect and prepare their kids.

• What TikTok knows about your child
• How old do you have to be to use TikTok and age-based protections
• How the For You Page works – and why it matters
• How TikTok keeps teens scrolling
• How to talk to your child about TikTok
• How to use Family Pairing
• How to download or delete TikTok data
• Awareness is a win

What TikTok knows about your child

TikTok collects all kinds of data and builds detailed profiles for each user to ensure that they keep watching. It doesn’t just track your children’s preferences and habits — it learns your vulnerabilities, curiosities, identity shifts, and more — and uses that information to keep them engaged.

Here’s a breakdown of the data it collects:

• Location: Even if your child isn’t posting content with geotags, TikTok can use their device’s IP address, settings, GPS signals, and SIM card to infer their location, routines, and favorite spots. All this data helps the algorithm localize content and ads — and can build a behavioral map.
• Voice and video: TikTok doesn’t just collect what your child types — according to its privacy policy(nouvelle fenêtre), it can scan their voice, face, and even the background of their videos. This data can be used to categorize users and fed into emotion-detection models(nouvelle fenêtre) that tailor content to facial expressions, tone, or energy level.
• Viewing Behavior: TikTok monitors how long your child watches a video down to the second, whether they rewatch, pause, or scroll past. These micro-behaviors are clustered into hyper-personalized, interest-based profiles that are then reinforced by suggested content.
• Contacts (if synced): If you sync your contacts, TikTok scans them and builds a map of your social network — including people who might not be on the platform. TikTok can use this map of your child’s relationships to hone its personalization, friend suggestions, and peer-based nudging.
• In-app browsing behavior: TikTok logs every search, like, click, and comment. This data powers the recommendation system and refines ad targeting. A single search — even if accidental — can seed a pattern and drive the TikTok algorithm to deliver similar content.

How old do you have to be to use TikTok and age-based protections

To create a TikTok account, children must be at least 13. This might seem young, but the app’s default settings(nouvelle fenêtre) cover several areas of concern for young users, offering its strongest protections for kids 13-15. More standard TikTok features are available to teens ages 16-17, but full access to all of TikTok is only available if you’re 18 or older.

While TikTok’s Teen Safety Center(nouvelle fenêtre) explains basic safety and privacy features, it doesn’t fully equip teens to navigate the complexities of data privacy and algorithmic influence. Parents should talk openly with them about mindful usage, emphasizing critical thinking and encouraging teens to reflect on how the app’s design affects their attention and behavior.

This age-based breakdown shows when and how TikTok’s default protections apply and suggests what parents should still consider.

Ages 13-15: Strongest protection, still some gaps

Anyone under 16 gets TikTok’s strictest account settings, with many features locked down completely.

• Accounts are private by default and can’t be made public.
• No one can Duet, Stitch, create stickers with, or download their videos.
• Direct messaging is turned off entirely, even if they follow and are followed by someone else.
• Comments default to Friends (followers they follow back) but can be changed to No one.
• The “Suggest your account to others” feature is turned off and can’t be enabled.
• Sticker creation from their videos is blocked and can’t be enabled.

Parents should know: Even with these protections, your child’s profile photo, username, and nickname are visible to everyone. Shared content can be linked externally, even if it can’t be downloaded or Dueted. And while these default settings greatly reduce outside exposure and contact, they don’t eliminate TikTok’s social pressure, attention-seeking incentives, or the emotional impact of its algorithmic feedback. It’s still important to help your child understand why privacy matters — and how invisible systems can shape their experience in powerful ways.

Ages 16-17: More flexibility, less protection

Teens in this category still get protective defaults but can now modify them.

• Accounts are private by default but can be made public at any time.
• Downloads, Duets, and Stitches are blocked for private accounts, so no one can download or remix their videos. If your child switches their account to public, they can change this setting from its No one default to allow Friends or Everyone to Duet, Stitch, or download content.
• Direct messages are turned off by default but can be enabled. The default is No one, but it can be switched to Friends or Suggested Friends (mutual contacts).
• On private accounts, comments default to Followers, meaning anyone who follows the user can comment. On public accounts, comments default to Everyone, allowing any TikTok user to comment. You child can change this setting to Friends or No one, regardless of whether their account is public or private.
• “Suggest your account to others” is off by default but can be turned on for both account types.
• On private accounts, sticker creation is blocked and can’t be enabled. On public accounts, sticker creation is set to Friends but can be changed to Everyone or Only you.

Parents should know: Teens in this group are more independent and socially active, but they’re still navigating digital boundaries. Even with default protections, the ability to switch to public and opt into more exposure means that conversations about intentional settings, emotional safety, and online reputation are even more important.

Ages 18+: Full access, minimal default protection

At 18, TikTok assumes users can navigate the platform with adult-level autonomy, lifting most protections that applied to teens.

• Accounts are public by default but can be made private at any time.
• All interaction features are fully enabled by default, including Duets, Stitches, downloads, sticker creation, and direct messages from anyone (though settings can be changed).
• Comments default to Everyone regardless of who follows or is followed, though users can change this to Friends or No one.
• “Suggest your account to others” is on by default but can be turned off.

Parents should know: While these users are adults, they may not be fully aware of TikTok’s behavioral design, which is likely to be even more aggressive in targeting them with highly personalized, attention-optimizing content. Many 18-year-olds are still in high school, still developing their identities, and still vulnerable to algorithmic nudging, body-image pressures, and compulsive use cycles. Parents can offer perspective by talking to their teenagers about their long-term digital presence, data permanence, and how their attention is monetized on platforms that only seem “free.”

Learn more about TikTok’s teen privacy settings(nouvelle fenêtre)

How the For You Page works – and why it matters

TikTok’s For You Page (FYP) is a hyper-personalized stream that learns from every interaction. It’s designed to feel personal, relevant, and impossible to look away from, and the more your child interacts with it, the better the algorithm gets at exploiting them.

According to TikTok’s own explanation of its algorithm(nouvelle fenêtre), the app tracks:

• Video watch time
• Replay behavior
• Pauses and scroll speed
• Likes, shares, and comments
• Who your child follows and engages with
• What they search for, or stop searching for

TikTok uses this information to map emotional and cognitive patterns so it can serve content that prolongs attention. Every micro-interaction teaches the algorithm something about your child’s mood, attention span, curiosities, and sensitivities. FYP not only reflects who they are, but over time it can subtly shape who they’re becoming.

And because the FYP is optimized for engagement above all else, it has the potential to serve questionable content that might not align with a family’s values. That includes:

• Promoting mature or distressing videos
• Platforming misinformation and harmful “advice”
• Reinforcing unrealistic ideals or emotionally manipulative narratives
• Funneling users into echo chambers that feel affirming but limit growth

This can happen even if your child never actively seeks out this type of content. All it takes is one hesitation, rewatch, or mistaken tap.

The FYP can feel like a glimpse of your child’s inner world, but it’s also a projection of what TikTok wants them to feel and follow. The more parents understand that, the easier it is to help kids understand and make changes.

You can’t turn off the FYP, but you can interrupt its momentum.

Alert the algorithm to any video you don’t want to see more of.

1. Long-press the video.
2. Tap Not interested.

Periodically clear your watch history.

1. From the home screen, tap the profile icon at the bottom.
2. Tap the hamburger button (three horizontal lines) in the upper-right corner of your screen and then tap Settings and privacy.
3. Under “Content & Display”, tap Activity center.
4. In the Activity center, tap Watch history.
5. Under Watch history, tap Select in the upper-right corner.
6. Tap Select all watch history. When the red button lights up, tap Delete.

Periodically clear your cache.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Scroll down to “Cache & Cellular” and tap Free up space.
3. Tap Clear.

Use Digital Wellbeing tools to create intentional breaks

1. Go to Settings.
2. Digital Wellbeing → Screen Time Management / Break Reminders

Encourage mindful viewing
Ask your child if you can watch with them from a place of genuine curiosity. If certain content hits a sour note, ask what else is happening in the feed, gently encouraging them not to dwell on things that don’t serve them.

How TikTok keeps teens scrolling

TikTok’s interface is intentionally designed for maximum stickiness. TikTok discovered people respond powerfully(nouvelle fenêtre) to personalized, bite-sized content in an infinite scroll that rewards engagement with unpredictable dopamine hits and optimized its platform to minimize friction, maximize attention, and deepen attachment.

Here is what to watch for and how to talk to your child about the invisible architecture guiding their scroll:

• Endless scroll and autoplay: Every time you swipe, a new video starts — no pause, no sense of completion. This creates a loop with no natural stopping point because there’s always one more video. This structure is explicitly designed to blur your perception of time.
• Engagement metrics (likes, shares, Duets): TikTok constantly signals popularity through like counts, view numbers, reposts, and reaction features like Duets and Stitches. These metrics train kids to evaluate content (and themselves) based on public validation. This might fuel comparison, anxiety, and compulsive posting just to “keep up” or get more validation.
• The ever-present “Post” button: Even when your child is just watching, that plus button is always visible. It reinforces the idea that watching isn’t enough — you should also contribute. That pressure to participate can lead to rushed posts, impulsive oversharing, or chasing trends that don’t align with who they really are.
• AI-generated captions and voiceovers: TikTok increasingly auto-generates captions, suggests text overlays, and promotes AI narration. These features can affect how kids frame their stories, adding an emotional tone or urgency that may not reflect how they feel.
• Filters and editing tools: From “beauty mode” to jawline-enhancing effects, TikTok’s tools can reshape faces in real time, often without users realizing just how much has changed. Constant exposure to idealized, filtered appearances can affect self-esteem, especially for younger teens.

How to talk to your child about TikTok

These questions work best when they’re not quizzes but shared moments of curiosity. You don’t have to have the answers. Just ask your child to reflect on their experience with the app. Reassure them that this isn’t a trap — it’s an invitation to think critically about what they’re getting and giving:

• “How does TikTok make you feel after 10 minutes? After 30?”
• “Have you ever seen something that felt off or too grown-up?”
• “Is it hard to stop scrolling? Why do you think that is?”

TikTok’s Family Pairing gives parents some visibility and control but not total oversight. If it’s used as a backdoor into your child’s private world, it can backfire fast.

This section walks you through what Family Pairing actually does, how to set it up, and most importantly, how to use it as a collaborative tool, not a surveillance system.

How to use Family Pairing

Family Pairing requires you to have a TikTok account. Once enabled, the feature allows you to link with your child’s account. You can’t read messages, see who they’re messaging, see what they’re posting, or view search or watch history, but parental access does give you the ability to:

• Set or limit screen time
• Enable restricted mode (filters out some mature content)
• Control who can send direct messages
• Limit who can view your child’s liked videos
• Decide whether your child’s account is private or public

Learn more about Family Pairing(nouvelle fenêtre)

How to set up Family Pairing

Before you get to any of the mechanical setup, make sure you introduce Family Pairing the right way. If it seems like an obvious tool of parental control, your child could shut down. Frame it as a way to explore TikTok together and help them develop habits that support their autonomy, not undermine it. Here’s an example of what to say:

Hey, I know you’re good at navigating this stuff, but I also know these apps are designed to be kind of manipulative. Would you be open to linking accounts — not so I can spy, but so we can figure out how to make it work for you?

You and your child will both need to log in, as your child must confirm the link for it to activate.

From there, it’s a good idea to have regular check-ins about privacy settings, especially as TikTok releases updates and your child grows and develops.

How to download or delete TikTok data

If you and your child want to understand what the app has collected or decide it’s time to leave altogether, there are options. But transparency is partial at best, and deletion isn’t as clean as it sounds.

Here’s what you can access, what you can erase, and what lingers.

Download a copy of your data

You can request a file containing basic account info, activity history, and settings. Note that it won’t include video content, watch history, or algorithmic profiling data.

1. Go to Settings and tap Account.
2. Tap Download your data.
3. Tap All data → Done → Request data.

The file may take a few days to generate. It will include:

• Your bio and profile settings
• Comment history
• Like history
• Search terms
• Login devices
• Settings and preferences

It’s important to know what it doesn’t include:

• Watch history
• Algorithmic profiling data

TikTok doesn’t include watch history because it’s one of the most valuable — and revealing — sources of behavioral insight the platform collects. This data drives TikTok’s recommendation engine and is likely classified as proprietary or “inferred,” meaning users can’t see or delete it, even though it plays a huge role in shaping what they’re shown.

TikTok doesn’t include algorithmic profiling data because it reveals how the platform categorizes and targets your child. That information is considered proprietary, and keeping it hidden protects both TikTok’s business model and its ability to shape behavior without scrutiny.

Learn more about how to download your data(nouvelle fenêtre)

How to delete a TikTok account

If your child is ready to walk away completely, the power is in your hands. However, TikTok retains some data even after deletion. This may include messages or content shared with others, server logs, behavioral metadata, and data already shared with third-party advertisers or partners.

1. Go to Settings → Account.
2. Tap Deactivate or delete account.
3. Follow the prompts and confirm with a code. The account is deactivated for 30 days and then deleted if not reactivated within that window.

Learn more about how to delete your account(nouvelle fenêtre)

Deletion gives you a sense of control, but in the world of Big Tech, erasure is never total. As the saying goes, the internet is forever. So understand that some information may still remain in TikTok’s system:

• Recommendation training data (used to improve the algorithm, even after you leave)
• Data retained for legal or compliance reasons
• Videos posted by your child downloaded by other users

Awareness is a win

Social media is a moving target, and trying to find the right balance of enjoyment and safety can be stressful for kids and parents. The important thing is talking about it, sharing whatever you can, and being real about the stakes and concerns on both sides.

If you reinforce for your child that their time, attention, and privacy are valuable, they’ll be better equipped to use TikTok — rather than the other way around.

At Proton, we want to build a better internet, starting with your family’s privacy and safety. Our kids spend spend more time online than ever, so it’s important that parents know how to maintain their child’s privacy, reduce data collection, and make the internet a safer place.