Over the last few years, TikTok has seen explosive growth and become one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. As of 2022, TikTok had over 1 billion monthly active users globally (https://www.statista.com/topics/6077/tiktok/). In the US alone, the number of TikTok users grew from about 5.5 million in January 2018 to over 100 million by March 2022, representing a nearly 2000% increase (https://backlinko.com/tiktok-users).
With its fun short videos, TikTok has proven especially popular among younger audiences. Around 41% of TikTok’s global audience is between 16 and 24 years old. However, the app has also faced scrutiny for how it handles younger users’ privacy and safety. In response, TikTok recently introduced new default privacy settings requiring all new users under the age of 16 to have private accounts.
TikTok’s Issues with Young Users’ Privacy
In the past, TikTok has faced criticism for issues related to protecting young users’ privacy. There have been concerning incidents where adults were able to contact minors through the app. Additionally, many minors posted inappropriate or risky content without adequate safeguards in place.
According to Politico, TikTok’s previous privacy settings and protections for young users were very weak. The app allowed any user to potentially interact with teens under 16. This raised serious concerns about predators contacting minors on the platform.
TikTok also failed to prevent underage users from posting inappropriate content according to The Verge. The app did not properly verify users’ ages or restrict minors from uploading content meant for older audiences. These oversights exposed teens to potential risks online.
New Privacy Settings for Under 16
In January 2021, TikTok introduced new default privacy settings for users under the age of 16 in response to concerns around young users’ safety and privacy (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/strengthening-privacy-and-safety-for-youth).
Previously, accounts for users under 16 were set to public by default, meaning anyone could view and interact with their content. Now, TikTok automatically makes accounts for younger users private by default (https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/account-privacy-settings/privacy-and-safety-settings-for-users-under-age-18).
With private accounts, users have to approve followers before they can view videos or send direct messages. This gives younger users more control over their online privacy and safety.
Goals of the New Policy
The main goal of TikTok’s new default private account policy for users under 16 is to better protect the privacy and safety of younger users on the platform. As social media apps like TikTok have exploded in popularity among teens and preteens, concerns around data privacy and unwanted contact from strangers online have grown as well.
By making accounts for younger users private by default, TikTok aims to prevent unwanted communication and limit the visibility of underage users’ content and information to the general public. Private accounts allow the account holder to approve who can view their videos, likes, follower list and other profile information. This puts control back in the hands of parents and teens to choose who can interact with them on TikTok.
Stricter default privacy settings serve to create a safer environment for TikTok’s younger demographic, shielding them from inappropriate contact with strangers online. It also gives parents more peace of mind about who can access their child’s account and activities on the app. Ultimately, the goal is to give younger users a more contained, controlled experience on TikTok.
Response to the Changes
TikTok’s introduction of mandatory private accounts for users under 16 has elicited mixed reactions. On one hand, many parents and child safety advocates have applauded the move. As one Reddit commenter pointed out, making under-16 accounts private by default better protects children’s privacy and reduces risks like cyberbullying or unwanted contact from strangers.
However, some users have pushed back against the policy change. Critics argue that restricting under-16 accounts removes young people’s autonomy and freedom of expression. As one article explained, making accounts private reduces opportunities for viral fame since content is only visible to followers. There are also concerns that teens may simply lie about their age to circumvent the new rules.
Overall, while increased privacy settings for young users have benefits, TikTok will likely continue facing debates over how to balance child safety with creative expression on its platform.
How to Make Your TikTok Account Private
Making your TikTok account private is a straightforward process that can be done right from the TikTok app in just a few taps. Here is a step-by-step guide:
1. Open the TikTok app on your phone.
2. Tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
3. Tap the three horizontal lines menu icon in the top right corner.
4. Select “Settings and privacy.”
5. Tap “Privacy.”
6. Toggle the “Private account” setting to on (green).
With a private account, only people you approve as followers can view your videos, likes, and following list. You have full control over who sees your content.
Some key privacy options to note:
– “WHO CAN VIEW MY LIKES” – With a private account, you can limit likes to just you.
– “WHO CAN DUET WITH ME” – Choose if only mutual followers, friends, or no one can duet your videos.
– “WHO CAN STITCH MY VIDEOS” – Select who can use your videos to make their own stitched videos.
Making your account private gives you more control over your privacy and content. It’s easy to switch between a public and private account at any time based on your preferences.
Implications for Brands and Influencers
The shift to default private accounts for users under 16 poses some challenges for brands and influencers who rely on TikTok to reach audiences. With private accounts, a user’s likes, followers, comments, and videos are only visible to people they approve. This means it will be harder for brands and influencers to analyze engagement metrics and identify potential customers or fans (Hootsuite).
Additionally, private accounts limit content discovery. Unless users proactively search for brands or hashtags, they may not encounter branded content or influencer videos in their For You feed. This could reduce overall reach and make it difficult for brands to attract new followers organically (TikTok).
In response, brands may need to increase paid advertising efforts and lean more heavily on influencer partnerships to get content in front of the right users. Influencers should aim to build their audience on other platforms and drive followers back to TikTok. Using link stickers, encouraging users to turn on notifications, and collaborating with brands on custom branded content can also help mitigate the discovery challenges.
Looking Ahead
An open question is whether TikTok will expand the private account requirement to older teenage users in the future. While the initial policy only applies to users under 16, privacy advocates argue that minors up to age 18 also warrant stronger protections online. TikTok has not indicated future plans to raise the age limit at this time, but may face ongoing pressure to better protect all teenage users on the platform.
Beyond default private accounts, TikTok has additional options to improve minor safety and privacy. The platform could add new parental controls, giving parents more ability to restrict content or interactions. TikTok could also enhance age verification measures during signup to better enforce age limits. Features like screen time management and limiting direct messaging could also help parents oversee usage. Ultimately, TikTok will need to balance user privacy with usability if they expand restrictions further. But improving minor safety remains an ongoing priority for the company amid heightened scrutiny.
Tips for Parents
As a parent, it’s understandable to have concerns about your child using TikTok. Here are some tips to help keep your child safe on the platform:
Monitor your child’s TikTok account and make use of the available safety features. TikTok allows parents to link their own account to their child’s in order to enableRestricted Mode and limit screen time. You can also talk with your child about keeping their account private and only accepting followers they know. See TikTok’s guide for parents for more on safety controls: https://www.tiktok.com/safety/en/guardians-guide/
Have open and ongoing conversations with your child about social media use and boundaries. Discuss limiting personal information shared, being cautious interacting with strangers, and promoting positivity on the platform. Set clear rules around phone/app usage and reserve the right to remove TikTok if issues arise.
Stay involved and interested in what your child is posting and engaging with on TikTok. Ask to see their profile and videos to foster trust and transparency. Periodically check-in on their experience and any concerning interactions. Guiding your child through social media safely is an evolving process.
While TikTok can enable creativity and fun, oversight is key. Approach it as a collaborative effort, not a fight over control. With some parental management and mutual understanding, TikTok can be an age-appropriate experience.
Conclusion
In summary, TikTok implemented the new policy requiring users under 16 to have private accounts in order to better protect young people’s privacy. The massive growth and popularity of TikTok, especially among teenagers, led to increased concerns about data collection and unwanted attention or messaging from strangers. By making accounts for younger users private by default, TikTok aims to limit what information is available publicly and who can interact with underage users.
While this policy change has frustrated some users who enjoyed the public nature of TikTok, it seems to be a reasonable step to balance the safety of young people with their desire for creative expression through social media. As with any platform, parents should still monitor their children’s online activity and have open discussions about potential risks. But overall, TikTok’s push for more private accounts is a positive sign that major social media companies are taking youth privacy more seriously.
Looking ahead, the challenge will be finding ways to allow young people to showcase their talents and connect with others, while also establishing age-appropriate protections. Striking the right balance between privacy and participation will continue to be an evolving process as technology and social media platforms change over time.
