Online Safety
Parental Controls
Digital Literacy
Protecting Your Kids on TikTok: Mastering Parental Controls
Jul 13, 2025
It usually starts with a sound, maybe some catchy audio clip that you hear repeating over and over. Then come the half-finished dance routines in the hallway, the sudden obsession with editing videos, or some new phrases that you have never heard before. Before you realise it, TikTok isn’t just a mobile app. It’s now part of daily life.
And as curious as it may be, it’s hard not to wonder whether allowing your child to spend so much time on TikTok is truly healthy. Every parent wants to shield their kids from potential risks, whether that means inappropriate content, cyberbullying, or oversharing personal details. The good news? TikTok offers tools that help guide your child’s online experience. And with a little know-how, you can create a safer, healthier digital environment without feeling like you need to watch over their shoulder 24/7.
As parents, we all know how easily our kids can get swept up by TikTok. The app’s algorithm is designed to keep them watching, and before we know it, they can spend hours scrolling through endless videos and maybe encounter things we’d rather they didn’t see.
Why Is It Important?
As parents, we all know how easily our kids can get swept up by TikTok. The app’s algorithm is designed to keep them watching, and before we know it, they can spend hours scrolling through endless videos and maybe encounter things we’d rather they didn’t see. That’s why setting boundaries isn’t just about blocking inappropriate content or limiting screen time. It’s really about building trust and opening up opportunities to teach our kids how to navigate the online world in a healthy way.
Think of these tools as your parenting toolkit: features like TikTok’s “Restricted Mode”, privacy settings, and comment filters give you control over what your child sees, who they interact with, and how much time they spend online. More importantly, they open the door for conversations about safety, responsibility, and balance—skills your child will carry for life.
Get to Know TikTok’s Safety Features
First things first: TikTok is intended for users 13 and older. The app is rated 12+, but it doesn’t always filter out everything you might want your child to avoid, such as mild swearing, suggestive jokes, and the occasional video that makes you raise an eyebrow. If your child is under 13, it’s really best to keep them off the app entirely. And when you do set up an account, make sure to use their real birthday. TikTok’s safety features only kick in properly if the age is accurate.
Family Pairing: Your Parental Control Headquarters
Think of TikTok’s Family Pairing like the “training wheels” for your child’s social media journey. By linking your account to your child’s, you can set ground rules—without having to read over their shoulder every minute.
Setting up Family Pairing is simple:
Open your profile, tap those three little lines in the corner, and head to “Settings and privacy.”
Scroll down to “Family Pairing,” select 'parent,' and you’ll get a QR code or link.
Your child does the same on their device. You scan, and you’re connected.
Now, you’ve got a dashboard right on your phone to manage their TikTok world.
Think of TikTok’s Family Pairing like the “training wheels” for your child’s social media journey. By linking your account to your child’s, you can set ground rules—without having to read over their shoulder every minute.
What Can You Control with Family Pairing?
Screen Time Management: Ever find yourself saying, “That’s enough screen time for today!”? With Family Pairing, you set the daily limit—say, 40 minutes on school nights, maybe a bit more on weekends. The default is 60 minutes for teens, but you’re in charge.
Restricted Mode: Flip this switch to filter out stuff that’s not age-appropriate. It’s not perfect, but it’s a helpful extra layer.
Direct Messages: For kids under 16, messaging is off by default (whew!). You can double-check or restrict it further so only friends can message, or no one at all.
Privacy Settings: Make their account private, so only approved followers can see what your child posts.
Comments & Likes: You decide who can comment on their videos and who can see the videos they’ve liked. This helps keep strangers’ opinions at bay.
Search and Hashtags: Block certain keywords or hashtags if you don’t want your child stumbling onto certain trends or memes.
Account Suggestions: Make sure TikTok isn’t recommending your child’s profile to random users.
And here’s some extra peace of mind: TikTok has strong default protections for younger users. Accounts for anyone under 18 are set to private by default. Kids under 16 can’t send direct messages or join group chats, and only adults can go LIVE. If your child is under 16, their videos won’t be pushed out for the whole world to see, and TikTok even limits notifications at night so your child isn’t tempted to check their phone after bedtime.
Extra Safety Tips
Even with TikTok’s built-in features, a little extra caution goes a long way:
Private Accounts: Remind your child not to share personal info like their school name or phone number in their bio.
Comment Filters: Block mean or inappropriate comments.
In-App Purchases: Turn off the ability to buy virtual coins to avoid surprise charges.
Reporting & Blocking: Teach your child how to block or report users who make them uncomfortable.
If your child is under 13, TikTok really isn’t the place for them. For 11- to 15-year-olds, keep their account private, turn off DMs, and monitor comments occasionally. Think of it as casually listening in at a backyard birthday party. For older teens, consider turning off features like Duet and Stitch, and regularly check who’s interacting with their account.
How Apparently Guides You Step by Step
As fellow parents, we know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to keep up with all the parental controls and online safety tools out there. That’s why we created Apparently: to take the guesswork out of protecting your kids online. It’s not a magic fix, but it’s a resource designed to make things simpler, clearer, and more manageable.
If you’ve ever wished for step-by-step instructions, up-to-date advice, or a judgment-free space to ask your toughest questions, Apparently is here for you.
Inside the app, you’ll find:
Community forums full of parents just like you, sharing tips and stories.
Expert-led resources on screen time, device safety, emotional health, and more.
Step-by-step guides for blocking content, setting up controls, and having tough conversations with your child.
We’re not here to tell you how to parent. We’re here to support the way you already do.
As fellow parents, we know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to keep up with all the parental controls and online safety tools out there. That’s why we created Apparently: to take the guesswork out of protecting your kids online.
Keep the Conversation Going
TikTok can be a fantastic outlet for creativity and connection, as long as kids use it safely. With the right tools, boundaries, and conversations, you can guide your child’s online journey and help them build lifelong skills for navigating the digital world.
Ready to take the next step? Download Apparently and start your free 14-day trial today. Together, we can make parenting in the digital age a little easier and a lot more connected.