Youth Safety and Well-Being
Last updated, March 2023
We are deeply committed to ensuring that TikTok is a safe and positive experience for people under the age of 18 (we refer to them as “youth” or “young people”). This starts by being old enough to use TikTok. You must be 13 years and older to have an account. There are additional age limitations based on local law in some regions. In the United States, there is a separate under 13 TikTok experience, which provides a more limited experience designed with additional safety protections and a dedicated Privacy Policy. If we learn someone is below the minimum age on TikTok, we will ban that account. If an account holder believes they were incorrectly banned, they can appeal the decision. Community members can report those who they believe are under the minimum age, either in-app or online.
Youth safety is our priority. We do not allow content that may put young people at risk of exploitation, or psychological, physical, or developmental harm. This includes child sexual abuse material (CSAM), youth abuse, bullying, dangerous activities and challenges, exposure to overtly mature themes, and consumption of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or regulated substances. If we become aware of youth exploitation on our platform, we will ban the account, as well as any other accounts belonging to the person.
Our goal is to provide young people with an experience that is developmentally appropriate and helps to ensure a safe space for self-exploration. We take several steps including: (1) limiting access to certain product features, (2) developing Content Levels that sort content by levels of thematic comfort, (3) using restrictive default privacy settings, and (4) making content created by anyone under 16 ineligible for the For You feed (FYF). You must be 16 years and older to use direct messages, and be 18 years and older to go LIVE, to send gifts to a creator during a LIVE session, or to use monetization features. You can learn more about TikTok’s tools, controls, and educational content on our Youth Portal and in our Guardian’s Guide.
In the sections that follow, we have many policies to promote youth safety on the platform. Click for more information and a consolidated list of all youth-specific policies.
More information
Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) refers to any sexualized material of a young person that is shared or created by anyone, including self-generated CSAM. It includes implied or clearly visible sexual activities and sexual assault of young people, as well as the sexualization or fetishization of their body.
Significant body exposure includes showing part of the pubic area and buttocks, or implied nudity, such as using an object to cover nude genitalia. For young people, it also includes wearing minimal clothing, such as only underwear.
Moderate body exposure includes showing the visible outline of covered genitalia, nipples through clothing, and exposed skin near an intimate body part, such as a part of a breast and the upper part of the thigh.
Seductive performances involve certain body movements that are intended to be sexually arousing, such as undressing (stripteases), pelvic thrusting, breast shaking, and fondling.
Sexualized posing is behavior with the intent to sexually arouse, through a combination of: (1) emphasizing intimate body parts, such as by zooming in on genitals, or using hands to frame breasts; and (2) overt sexual expressions, including suggestive captions (such as “do you like what you see?”).
Allusion to sexual activity is behavior with the intent to call to mind sexual activity, including imitating sexual acts (such as licking a phallic-shaped object), sounds (such as moaning), and facial expressions (such as an “O” face to mimic an orgasm).
NOT allowed
- Sexual exploitation of young people, including child sexual abuse material (CSAM), grooming, solicitation, and pedophilia
- Physical abuse, neglect, endangerment, and psychological abuse of young people
- Trafficking of young people, promotion or facilitation of underage marriage, and recruitment of child soldiers
- Sexual activity of young people
- Nudity or significant body exposure of young people
- Allusions to sexual activity by young people
- Seductive performances by young people
- Consumption of alcohol, tobacco products, and drugs by young people
Age-restricted (18 years and older)
- Cosmetic surgery that does not include risk warnings, including before-and-after images, videos of surgical procedures, and messages discussing elective cosmetic surgery
- Activities that are likely to be imitated and may lead to any physical harm
- Significant body exposure of adults
- Seductive performances by adults
- Sexualized posing by adults
- Allusions to sexual activity by adults
- Blood of humans and animals
- Consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol by adults
- Consumption of tobacco products by adults
FYF ineligible
- Any content created by an under-16 account
- Moderate body exposure of young people
- Intimate kissing or sexualized posing by young people