Is TikTok Safe to Use?

With so many social media platforms available today, it can be difficult to keep up. One app that has rapidly taken the world by storm is the video-sharing platform TikTok.

TikTok has experienced extraordinary growth, amassing over 500 million active users worldwide in just a few years — surpassing platforms such as Twitter, Snapchat, and LinkedIn.

Despite its success, TikTok has faced ongoing scrutiny. The platform has been fined for data protection violations, accused of censoring political content, and criticised for not doing enough to protect younger users.

As a result, many parents and organisations are asking an important question: Is TikTok safe to use?

What Is TikTok?

TikTok is a free social media app that allows users to create, share, and discover short-form videos. Videos typically range from 15 to 60 seconds and can be enhanced with music, filters, and special effects.

Users engage with influencers, participate in viral challenges, share humour, and interact through likes, comments, and shares. Like many social platforms, TikTok’s success is driven by its ability to surface engaging and entertaining content.

Who Uses TikTok?

According to Global Web Index, 41% of TikTok users are aged between 16 and 24. While the platform initially attracted a largely female audience, more recent data shows that 55.6% of users are now male.

TikTok has also gained significant traction among celebrities, influencers, and businesses. Many brands use challenges and hashtag campaigns to encourage user-generated content and increase engagement.

How Does TikTok Work?

Users can sign up to TikTok using a phone number, email address, or existing social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Once logged in, users can search for videos by hashtag, category, or creator, or connect with friends already on the platform.

Unlike many social networks, TikTok focuses less on who you follow and more on content discovery. The app’s ‘For You’ page uses an algorithm that learns from your interactions, showing videos based on what you watch, like, and share.

Is TikTok Safe for Children?

While TikTok includes safety features, concerns remain around cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online predators. TikTok requires users to be at least 13 years old, with parental consent for those under 18. However, younger users often bypass these restrictions.

In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission fined TikTok $5.7 million for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting personal data from users under 13 without parental consent.

Although TikTok has since improved its controls, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has also investigated whether the platform complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

How Can Parents Protect Children on TikTok?

Parents should ensure children meet the minimum age requirement and understand the risks associated with sharing content online. Privacy settings are a crucial first line of defence.

By default, TikTok accounts are public. Parents should enable private accounts and restrict who can comment, message, duet, or react to videos. Disabling location services provides additional protection.

Regular conversations about online behaviour are equally important. Children should feel comfortable reporting inappropriate content, blocking users, and asking for help if something makes them uncomfortable.

What Countries Have Banned TikTok?

TikTok has faced bans and restrictions in several countries. Indonesia temporarily banned the app after concerns over inappropriate content but later reinstated it with enhanced moderation.

The platform has also been criticised for censoring content, including LGBTQ topics in Turkey and pro-Hong Kong videos. In the United States, concerns over data privacy and potential political influence have prompted investigations into whether TikTok poses a national security risk.

As with any social media platform, understanding how TikTok handles data, moderation, and privacy is essential for making informed decisions about its use.

Learn More About MetaCompliance Solutions

Social media platforms like TikTok highlight the growing importance of digital awareness, privacy protection, and responsible online behaviour. MetaCompliance helps organisations and families address these challenges by reducing human risk and strengthening cyber resilience.

Our Human Risk Management Platform supports safer online behaviour through:

• Automated Security Awareness
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To see how MetaCompliance can help improve digital safety awareness and protect users online, contact us today to book a demo.