TikTok is a massively popular short-form video app with over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide. Around 90% of TikTok’s users access the platform daily, spending an average of 52 minutes per day on the app – more time than on any other social media platform (1). Given its huge and growing userbase, TikTok employs a robust content moderation system to maintain a safe environment on the platform.
According to TikTok’s own transparency reports, videos uploaded to the platform are first reviewed by automated moderation technology to identify content that violates community guidelines. Videos are then sent to human moderators for review (2). In the first half of 2022 alone, TikTok removed over 104 million videos for violating guidelines or terms of service (3). The company has also formed a content advisory council and consult with outside experts to continually strengthen its moderation policies.
Sources:
(1) https://www.bodyguard.ai/blog/tiktok-moderation-why-it-s-important-and-how-to-do-it
(2) https://www.tiktok.com/transparency/en/content-moderation/
(3) https://www.reuters.com/technology/tiktok-tell-congress-it-has-150-million-monthly-active-us-users-2023-03-20/
Illegal Activities
TikTok prohibits any content that promotes or enables criminal activities, violence, or illegal drug use. This includes videos depicting or encouraging:
- Violent acts like assault, acts of terror, animal abuse, or footage containing blood/gore
- Manufacturing or purchasing illegal drugs
- Instructions for committing dangerous or criminal acts
- Content that urges users to participate in illegal acts that may cause harm to others or themselves
As per TikTok’s Community Guidelines (source), content that depicts dangerous or illegal acts purely for the purpose of entertainment is not allowed on the platform. TikTok aims to maintain a safe environment and does not tolerate any promotion of criminal activities.
Harmful and Dangerous Content
TikTok removes content that promotes or normalizes self-harm or dangerous acts that may lead to serious injury or death according to their Community Guidelines. This includes content depicting or encouraging:
- Self-harm such as cutting, suicide threats, and dangerous stunts
- Eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia
- Choking games or other acts involving strangulation
- Taking drugs like opioids or meth
TikTok aims to provide resources and support to users experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide. At the same time, the platform recognizes the potential real-world harm that can result from exposure to content normalizing self-harm. As stated in their Safety and Civility guidelines, depictions of suicide, self-harm, and dangerous acts may encourage copycat behavior among vulnerable viewers.
To protect user well-being, TikTok removes any content promoting self-harm or suicide. This includes both graphical depictions as well as text or audio encouraging these acts. Users are encouraged to report harmful content so it can be quickly removed.
Adult Nudity and Sexual Activities
TikTok has strict rules against posting explicit sexual content and nudity on the platform. According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, “Adult nudity and sexual activities. Nudity, pornography, or sexually explicit content are not allowed on our platform.”
Specifically, TikTok does not permit content that contains:
- Explicit sexual content or nudity of any kind, including visible genitalia, breasts or buttocks
- Pornography or any sexual acts
- Solicitation of sexual acts
- Erotic dancing or stripping
TikTok states that overtly mature content is limited so it is only viewed by those 18 years and older. The platform uses age-gating restrictions and other tools to try to prevent younger users from accessing inappropriate adult content.
Users who repeatedly post nude images, pornographic material, or solicit sexual acts will have their accounts banned from TikTok for violation of the adult nudity and sexual content rules.
Hateful Ideologies
TikTok prohibits promoting hate based on protected characteristics such as race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, caste, sexual orientation, gender identity, or serious disease. This includes posting content that incites hatred against or dehumanizes protected groups (https://www.tiktok.com/safety/en/countering-hate/).
Specifically, TikTok bans hate speech, slurs, harmful stereotypes, and supremacist groups that attack or exclude people based on who they are. This includes White supremacy, Nazism, or any other group that promotes hate. Posts that praise or support these groups are not allowed on TikTok.
Harassing or bullying someone based on their protected characteristics is also prohibited. This includes hurtful comments, malicious rumors, threats, revealing private information, or encouraging others to harass someone (https://www.tiktok.com/community-guidelines/en/safety-civility/). TikTok aims to foster an inclusive environment and does not tolerate discrimination.
Violent Extremism
TikTok has a zero-tolerance policy for violent extremism and takes active measures to combat it on the platform. According to their Community Guidelines, TikTok prohibits any content that promotes or condones terrorist organizations or violent acts by these groups. This includes videos depicting or glorifying beheadings, mass murders, or other brutal acts by terrorist groups.
In a September 2022 statement, TikTok emphasized their stance against violent extremism, noting that “Individuals or groups that threaten violence or attempt to incite violence risk losing access to their accounts.” They partner with experts such as the Institute for Strategic Dialogue to better identify extremist content and remove it from the platform.
Users are encouraged to report any videos or accounts that promote violent extremist views or organizations. TikTok’s safety team reviews these reports and takes action on content violations to ensure the platform remains free of hate and dangerous extremism.
Misinformation
TikTok prohibits the spread of misinformation that could cause harm to individuals or society (TikTok, 2022). This includes false or misleading claims related to civic processes like elections, as well as public health issues.
According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, the platform does not allow “misinformation about civic and electoral processes, regardless of intent” (TikTok, 2022). This covers inaccurate claims about how to vote, voter registration, election results, and more. TikTok has policies to combat election-related misinformation such as labeling misinformation, limiting distribution, and promoting authoritative content.
TikTok also prohibits misinformation about COVID-19 and other public health issues that could cause harm (TikTok, 2022). This includes false cures, anti-vaccine propaganda, and conspiracy theories. TikTok partners with health organizations to provide reliable information and limit the spread and recommendations of misleading content.
In addition, TikTok bans manipulated content like deepfakes that could mislead users. Financial scams are also prohibited. Overall, TikTok aims to limit the reach of demonstrably false or misleading claims that could cause significant individual or societal harm.
Minor Safety
TikTok has strict policies prohibiting any nudity or sexual content involving minors. Their community guidelines explicitly state that this type of content is not allowed and will be removed from the platform.
According to TikTok’s Youth Safety and Well-Being guidelines, you must be at least 13 years old to have an account. Additionally, if you are between 13-15 years old, your account is set to private by default so only approved followers can view your content.
TikTok also prohibits predatory behavior and any attempts to track or exploit minors on their platform. Their community guidelines make it clear that soliciting personally identifiable information from minors is not tolerated.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to monitor their children’s use of TikTok through various parental control features. This includes restricting Direct Messages and comments as well as limiting screen time.
Harassment and Bullying
TikTok takes targeted abuse very seriously and does not allow harassment or bullying on their platform. This includes any content that encourages dangerous or inappropriate bullying that promotes suicide, self-harm or eating disorders. Users are also prohibited from sharing other people’s private information, including their phone number, home address, email, or identity documents without consent.
TikTok has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to harassment and bullying. If you are being targeted by abusive behavior, you can report the user directly in the app. Go to their profile, tap the three dots in the upper right corner, and select “Report.” You’ll be given the option to report for bullying or other forms of harassment.
According to TikTok’s Bullying Prevention Center, you can also block users who are bullying you, restrict their ability to comment on your content, filter comments for specific keywords, and turn off notifications for their comments.
In severe cases of targeted harassment, users are encouraged to reach out to counseling hotlines like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or speak with local authorities. TikTok works directly with law enforcement for cases involving revenge porn, leaked personal information, and other forms of abuse.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several categories of content not allowed on TikTok in order to uphold the platform’s community guidelines and create a safe environment for users. This prohibited content includes illegal activities like drug use or underage drinking; harmful or dangerous content that risks injury or death; adult nudity and sexual activities; promotion of hateful ideologies; violent extremism; spreading of misinformation and disinformation; lack of protections for minors; and harassment, bullying or threats against users.
TikTok aims to cultivate an enjoyable, authentic and engaging community for their users. By banning certain inappropriate or unsafe content, they hope to prevent exposure to potentially harmful material and foster more positivity on the platform. While some restrictions may seem limiting for content creators, overall these guidelines allow TikTok to facilitate more lighthearted, good-natured entertainment and meaningful connections between users.
