How Old Do You Have to Be to Use TikTok? A Parent’s Guide

Introduction

The popular social media app, TikTok, has taken the world by storm in recent years. It has become one of the most popular apps among teenagers and young adults, with more than 800 million active users globally. But how old do you have to be to use this popular app?

In this article, we will explore the age restrictions for using TikTok as well as provide advice for parents on monitoring their children’s use of the platform. We will also examine whether it is safe for kids to use the app.

Parent’s Guide to Understanding When Their Child Can Use TikTok

Exploring the Age Limits of TikTok

TikTok has an age limit of 13 years old, meaning that any user must be at least 13 years old to create an account and use the app. This age limit is in line with other social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. Additionally, any user under the age of 18 must have their parent or guardian’s permission before creating an account.

However, this age limit is not always enforced. According to a study from the University of Edinburgh, 32% of children aged 11-12 had a TikTok account, despite the age restriction. This suggests that many younger children are accessing the app without their parent’s knowledge or consent.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Download and Use TikTok?

The minimum age requirement to download and use the app is 13 years old. However, as previously mentioned, this age limit is not always enforced. In fact, many children under the age of 13 are downloading the app and using it without their parent’s permission.

If your child is younger than 13 and wants to use the app, you should discuss the risks associated with using the app, such as online predators and cyberbullying. You should also make sure that your child understands the importance of keeping their personal information private and setting appropriate privacy settings.

Examining the Rules Around Age and Using TikTok

What are the Rules Around Age and Using TikTok?

According to TikTok’s Terms of Service, anyone under the age of 13 is not permitted to create an account or use the app. Additionally, they must have parental permission if they are between the ages of 13 and 18. Additionally, users must be at least 16 years old to access certain features of the app such as live streaming.

It is important to note that these age restrictions are not always enforced. As previously mentioned, many children under the age of 13 are accessing the app without their parent’s knowledge or permission.

Is it Safe for Kids to Use TikTok?

TikTok has taken steps to ensure the safety of its users, including implementing a range of safety features such as comment filtering and content moderation. However, there are still risks associated with using the app, especially for younger users. For example, there have been reports of cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online predators.

Despite these risks, there are ways to keep your child safe while using the app. For example, you can monitor your child’s activity on the app and ensure they are using appropriate safety settings. You can also talk to your child about the risks associated with using the app and encourage them to report any inappropriate content or behaviour.

Conclusion

The age limit to use TikTok is 13 years old, however this age limit is not always enforced. It is important for parents to understand the risks associated with the app and to take steps to ensure their child’s safety while using the app. Parents should talk to their child about the risks associated with the app, monitor their activity, and ensure they are using appropriate safety settings.

In conclusion, the age limit for using TikTok is 13 years old and parental permission is required for users between the ages of 13 and 18. While the app does have safety features in place, there are still risks associated with using the app and parents should take steps to ensure their child’s safety while using the app.