TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among younger users. With its algorithmic “For You” feed, TikTok serves up a endless stream of short videos based on your interests and engagement. However, some users may want to limit or customize the content they see on their feed for various reasons.
There are several benefits to blocking certain topics or keywords on TikTok:
- Avoid seeing content you find inappropriate, offensive, or triggering
- Prevent spoilers from movies, TV shows, or books you haven’t experienced yet
- Filter out categories you’re simply not interested in, like certain dances, trends, or challenges
- Reduce distractions and wasted time from irrelevant videos showing up in your feed
- Improve your overall TikTok experience by only allowing content you truly want to see
Fortunately, TikTok provides various tools and settings to block topics, words, phrases, hashtags, and specific accounts. This allows users to customize the app and take control over the content they consume.
Find the Digital Wellbeing Settings
To access the Digital Wellbeing settings in the TikTok app, you first need to make sure you have the latest version of the app installed. Open the app and go to your profile page. Tap on the three-line menu icon in the top right corner, then tap “Settings and privacy.”
Under the “Digital wellbeing” section, tap on “Digital wellbeing controls.” This will open the main Digital Wellbeing page where you can view your Dashboard showing your recent TikTok usage. You can also enable restricted mode and set time limits here.
If you don’t see the Digital Wellbeing section in your Settings, make sure your app is fully updated. You can also try logging out and logging back into your TikTok account. The latest versions of the TikTok app include the Digital Wellbeing controls for all users.
Enable Restricted Mode
One of the easiest ways to limit mature or inappropriate content on TikTok is to enable Restricted Mode. Restricted Mode is designed to limit content that may not be appropriate for all audiences. When enabled, it will filter out videos that contain mature themes, violence, explicit language, and other content deemed unsuitable for younger audiences.
To enable Restricted Mode on TikTok:
- Open the TikTok app and tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap the three dot menu icon in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings and privacy” from the menu.
- Tap “Digital Wellbeing”
- Toggle “Restricted Mode” on.
With Restricted Mode enabled, the TikTok algorithm will limit the appearance of content that may be inappropriate. Keep in mind that the filters are not 100% accurate, so you may still come across some mature content. But overall, enabling Restricted Mode significantly cuts down on potentially offensive videos and comments.
Restricted Mode can be enabled on both Android and iOS devices. You can toggle it on or off at any time. It’s generally recommended for younger users to limit exposure to mature themes. Enabling Restricted Mode is an easy way to create a more limited, filtered TikTok experience.
For more information on Restricted Mode, visit the TikTok Help Center.
Block Specific Words and Phrases
One way to block certain topics on TikTok is by filtering specific words or phrases that you don’t want to see. TikTok allows you to add keywords to a “Restricted Mode” filter that will hide videos containing those terms.
To enable keyword filtering, go to your profile and tap the three dot menu. Select “Digital Wellbeing” and then “Restricted Mode.” Toggle on “Keyword Filter” and you’ll be able to add words or phrases you want to block.
TikTok notes that keyword filtering isn’t an exact science. The algorithm looks for videos that are most likely to contain the blocked keywords, but some videos may slip through if the terms are not prominently featured. You’ll need to continue adding to your keyword list to further refine the filter.
According to TikTok’s guidelines, the keyword filter works best for blocking specific names, places, events or dates rather than broad terms and themes. So it may be more effective to block “covid” rather than “pandemic.” You can add as many terms as you like to the keyword list.
It’s important to note that TikTok does not allow keywords that promote discrimination. Any restricted keywords are monitored by TikTok. For more details, refer to TikTok’s support article on filtering keywords.
Block Specific Users
Blocking individual users is a straightforward way to avoid seeing content from accounts you don’t want to. You can block a user directly from their profile. Here’s how:
- Go to the profile of the user you want to block.
- Tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper-right corner.
- Select “Block” from the menu.
- Confirm that you want to block the user.
Once blocked, the user’s videos and comments will no longer show up in your feed or search results. You can unblock users at any time if you change your mind. Blocking is anonymous – the user will not be notified that you blocked them.
Blocking users is an effective way to curate your feed and avoid unwanted content from specific accounts. It gives you control over what you see on TikTok.
Use Screen Time Limits
TikTok allows users to set daily screen time limits to control usage of the app. This can be an effective way to block access to TikTok after reaching a certain time threshold each day.
To enable screen time limits on TikTok (citations: https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/account-information/screen-time, https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/new-features-for-teens-and-families-on-tiktok-us):
- Open your profile page and tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner.
- Select “Digital Wellbeing” and then “Screen Time Management.”
- Toggle “Screen Time Management” on and set a daily time limit.
- You will be automatically logged out once you reach your daily limit.
Setting reasonable screen time limits can help curb mindless scrolling and encourage more intentional TikTok use. Just be aware the app provides ways to extend your time limit, so you’ll need self-discipline to avoid overriding the limit when reached.
Make Your Account Private
One of the easiest ways to gain more control over the content you see on TikTok is to make your account private. With a private account, you get to approve who can follow you and view your videos. This prevents unwanted interactions and limits your content to only people you know and trust.
To make your TikTok account private:
- Open the TikTok app and tap on your profile icon in the bottom right.
- Tap on the menu icon in the top right corner.
- Select “Privacy and Settings”.
- Toggle “Private Account” on.
TikTok will now prompt new followers to request access to your account. You can review these requests and only approve ones you are comfortable with. Existing followers will not be affected. Your profile and videos will no longer be publicly accessible.
According to TikTok’s support article, with a private account “only users you approve can follow you and view your videos.” This gives you greater control over who interacts with your content.
Consider Using Family Pairing
One of the most effective ways to monitor and limit your child’s TikTok activity is by using TikTok’s Family Pairing feature. Family Pairing allows a parent to link their own TikTok account to their child’s account to enable additional parental controls. According to TikTok’s announcement, Family Pairing rolling out starting April 2020 allows parents to:
- Manage screen time: Set how long your teen can spend on TikTok each day
- Restrict content: Limit your teen’s access to content that may not be appropriate for their age
- Limit messages: Restrict who can send messages to the connected account, or turn off direct messaging completely
To set up Family Pairing, both the parent and the child will need to download the latest version of TikTok. In the app, go to your Profile -> Settings and Privacy -> Digital Wellbeing -> Family Pairing. Follow the in-app prompts to scan codes and link the accounts. Once connected, the parent can set controls like Screen Time limits and Restricted Mode from their own device (source).
Family Pairing provides parents oversight over their child’s TikTok feed and interactions. It can limit exposure to inappropriate content as well as set healthy boundaries for how long they can use the app each day.
Report Inappropriate Content
If you come across any videos, comments, live streams, messages, or accounts that appear to violate TikTok’s Community Guidelines, you can easily report them directly through the app or website.
To report inappropriate content in the TikTok app:
- Go to the video, comment, profile, or message you wish to report.
- Tap the share icon or three dots icon.
- Select ‘Report’ and choose the reason that best matches the issue.
- Add any additional details in the text box.
- Tap ‘Submit’ to send the report to TikTok for review.
On the TikTok website, hover over a video, comment, or profile and click the flag icon to report content.
TikTok has strict rules against posting illegal, dangerous, or abusive content. Reporting violations helps keep the platform safe and positive for everyone. If you see something concerning, take a moment to report it.
Conclusion
Blocking certain topics, hashtags, words, phrases and users on TikTok can be very beneficial for tailoring your experience on the app. Restricting access to triggering or inappropriate content can help promote a safe environment, especially for younger users. The various methods covered in this article can empower users to customize TikTok based on their preferences and values.
The key methods include enabling Restricted Mode, blocking specific words/phrases, blocking other users, setting screen time limits, making your account private and utilizing Family Pairing features. While no system is foolproof, judiciously applying these tools can allow you to curate an enjoyable, relevant TikTok feed. With a few simple settings adjustments, you can gain more control over the content you see.
Overall, blocking certain topics on TikTok promotes a positive and personalized experience. By filtering out potentially objectionable material, you can feel more comfortable browsing the app and sharing it with others. The customization options help users manage content based on individual sensibilities.
