TikTok is a popular video-sharing app where users can create, share, and discover short videos set to music. TikTok has over 1 billion active users worldwide and is particularly popular among teens and young adults.
TikTok currently imposes age restrictions limiting certain features for younger users. The minimum age to create an account is 13. Users under 16 cannot livestream and users under 18 cannot send direct messages. The app also restricts certain content from younger users through its algorithm.
Some parents and users wish to remove TikTok’s age restrictions to access limited features. However, bypassing age limits raises concerns over child safety and compliance with regulations like COPPA. This article examines options for removing TikTok’s age restrictions, associated risks, and alternatives for younger users.
Current TikTok Age Restrictions
According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, the minimum age to use TikTok is 13 years old. This age restriction applies globally except for in South Korea and Indonesia where the minimum age is 14 due to local regulations.
TikTok requires users to provide their accurate date of birth when signing up for an account. Providing false information about age is a violation of their Terms of Service.
Accounts registered with an age under 13 are automatically deleted by TikTok. The platform uses automated systems to detect and remove underage accounts.
For users between 13-15 years old, TikTok enables additional privacy and safety protections by default. These include restricting visibility of content, limiting features like commenting, and limiting direct messaging to approved followers only.
Once a user turns 16, TikTok removes some of these restrictions and enables full access to features. However, safety mode can still be enabled to limit unwanted interactions.
Risks of Removing Age Restrictions
There are several potential risks and dangers associated with removing age restrictions on apps like TikTok. According to Cleveland Clinic, social media can negatively impact children’s mental health, leading to increased anxiety, depression, body image issues, and sleep disturbances (source). The UK government also warns that removing age limits could expose children to cyberbullying, threats to privacy and identity, as well as inappropriate or offensive content (source).
Without age verification, younger kids may encounter adult content like violence, hate speech, sexual material, and content related to drugs, alcohol or self-harm. They may also interact with strangers who could exploit or groom them. Younger users often lack the maturity and digital literacy skills to handle these risks safely.
Allowing unrestricted access could also lead kids to overuse apps like TikTok. Excessive social media use at a young age is linked with negative effects like poor sleep, low self-esteem, lack of focus, and less time for healthy activities. It’s important kids have a healthy balance and that parents monitor their child’s experiences online.
How to Change Your Age on TikTok
While it is possible to change your birthday and age in the TikTok app, doing so technically breaches TikTok’s terms of service. TikTok requires users to provide their real date of birth when creating an account.
To change your age in the TikTok app, follow these steps:
- Open the TikTok app and go to your profile page.
- Tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner.
- Select “Settings and privacy.”
- Tap “Privacy.”
- Tap “Edit profile.”
- Tap the pencil icon next to “Birthday.”
- Enter a new birthday and tap “Done.”
After changing your birthday, TikTok will adjust the age shown on your profile. However, keep in mind that providing false information about your age violates TikTok’s Terms of Service.
Using a Parent’s Account
One way for a child under the age of 13 to access TikTok is by using a parent’s account. The parent can set up the account with their own information and enable Family Pairing or Co-Viewing to share access with their child. This allows the parent to maintain control over privacy settings, content restrictions, and screen time limits (TikTok Support).
To enable Family Pairing, the parent logs into their TikTok account, goes to Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Family Pairing and scans a QR code from the child’s device to link the accounts. The child can then log into TikTok on their device using the parent’s account. The parent retains control and can restrict features or content as needed.
Co-Viewing similarly allows a parent to link their account to their child’s so they can monitor activity. This could be a good solution for tweens or younger teens who want more access, while parents maintain oversight.
COPPA Compliance Concerns
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) restricts companies like TikTok from collecting personal data from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. COPPA applies to any website or online service directed at children under 13 that collects, uses, or discloses personal information from children.
Removing age restrictions on TikTok to allow younger children to use the app violates COPPA laws. In 2019, TikTok paid $5.7 million to settle FTC allegations that the company illegally collected personal information from children under 13. Advocacy groups have continued to accuse TikTok of violating COPPA even after this settlement.
Allowing children under 13 to use TikTok without parental consent raises serious legal issues. Parents could be held liable for COPPA violations. TikTok also faces potentially massive fines for non-compliance. The best approach is strict adherence to COPPA age restrictions.
Parental Control Options
While TikTok has its own built-in parental control features, there are also third-party apps that parents can use to restrict access and limit features on TikTok.
Apps like Bark allow parents to block TikTok during certain times, limit daily usage, and filter inappropriate content. Bark can be installed on the child’s device to monitor activity and send alerts about concerning content.
Other parental control apps like Qustodio and MMGuardian give parents remote control over a child’s device to restrict specific apps and features. These can limit access to TikTok and other apps as needed.
Using parental control apps provides more powerful restrictions tailored to each child’s needs. Features like keyword blocking, time limits, and disabling direct messages can help parents manage their child’s TikTok usage.
Monitoring Your Child’s Use
Parents can take steps to monitor their child’s TikTok usage and mitigate potential risks. TikTok’s Family Pairing feature allows parents to link their TikTok account to their child’s and set controls. This includes:
- Setting screen time limits
- Restricting certain features like direct messaging
- Limiting the appearance of inappropriate content
- Disabling the ability to make purchases
Parents can also regularly discuss online safety with their kids, establish rules around sharing personal information, and check in on their child’s connections and content consumption. While monitoring use is important, it’s also key to foster open communication so children feel comfortable coming to parents if they encounter concerning content or interactions.
Alternatives for Younger Users
TikTok requires users to be at least 13 years old due to COPPA compliance. However, there are some good alternative apps and platforms that may be more appropriate for younger audiences:
Dubsmash – This app allows users to create and share short lip-sync videos. It has kid-friendly content and a large library of audio clips and sound effects. Dubsmash is a safer alternative with parental controls and no public comment sections (source).
Funimate – Kids can make fun musical videos, showcasing their creativity and talent. It has multiple effects and editing features. Parents can disable comments and restrict usage (source).
Likee – This app is similar to TikTok but focuses on younger creators. It has parental control options and emphasizes positivity. Videos can only be shared privately with parental approval (source).
Lomotif – It allows lip-syncing and short video creation. Lomotif has a separate kids-only section and restricts messaging. It’s a safer alternative focused on fun and creativity (source).
Conclusion
In summary, TikTok’s age restrictions are in place to protect younger users and comply with laws like COPPA. Trying to bypass the age requirements comes with certain risks that parents should consider carefully. While kids may want access to all the features on TikTok, it’s important to have discussions with them about responsible social media use and make sure proper parental controls are in place.
There are alternatives like YouTube Kids that provide a more controlled environment for younger audiences. For kids 13+, parental supervision and open communication can go a long way in keeping them safe online. As they get older, giving some autonomy while still guiding their choices allows them to learn good digital citizenship.
Rather than removing age limits completely, parents can find a balance of oversight and freedom that matches their child’s maturity level. With some prudent precautions, kids can still express themselves creatively on social platforms as they grow up in an increasingly digital world.
