What are TikTok's safety features for younger users?

TikTok has implemented a variety of safety features and parental controls to ensure a safer experience for younger users. These features are designed to protect minors from inappropriate content and interactions, while also providing tools for parents to manage their child's activity on the platform. Here's an overview of TikTok's safety features for younger users:

### **1. **Family Pairing**

**What It Is:**
   - **Family Pairing**: A feature that allows parents to set up and manage their child's TikTok account from their own device.

**Key Features:**
   - **Screen Time Management**: Parents can set daily screen time limits for their child's account.
   - **Restricted Mode**: Limits exposure to potentially inappropriate content by filtering out content that may not be suitable for younger users.
   - **Privacy Settings**: Parents can control who can view their child's content, send them messages, or interact with their posts.
   - **Search Restrictions**: Parents can restrict or disable the ability to search for content or users.
   - **Direct Messages**: Control who can send messages to the account, including turning off direct messaging altogether.

### **2. **Account Privacy Settings**

**What It Is:**
   - **Privacy Controls**: Options that allow users to control who can see their content and interact with their account.

**Key Features:**
   - **Private Account**: Users can set their account to private, meaning only approved followers can view their content.
   - **Restricted Mode**: A setting to limit the appearance of content that might be inappropriate for younger users.
   - **Content Visibility**: Users can control who can view their videos, like their posts, and comment on their content.

### **3. **Age Restrictions**

**What It Is:**
   - **Age Verification**: TikTok's policies restrict users under 13 from creating an account and provide enhanced privacy settings for users aged 13 to 17.

**Key Features:**
   - **Younger Users**: Accounts for users under 16 have additional privacy protections, including limited access to certain features like direct messaging and live streaming.
   - **Restricted Access**: Users aged 16 and under are restricted from using features such as TikTok's live stream and direct messaging.

### **4. **Content Moderation**

**What It Is:**
   - **Content Review**: TikTok uses automated systems and human moderators to review and remove content that violates its Community Guidelines.

**Key Features:**
   - **Automated Filters**: Tools that automatically detect and filter out inappropriate content based on keywords and user reports.
   - **Community Guidelines**: Policies that prohibit harmful content, including harassment, hate speech, and explicit material.

### **5. **Safety Tips and Resources**

**What It Is:**
   - **Educational Resources**: TikTok provides resources and guidance to help users understand and manage their safety and privacy.

**Key Features:**
   - **Safety Center**: A hub with information on how to use TikTok safely, including guides on privacy settings and reporting issues.
   - **In-App Tips**: Notifications and tips within the app that educate users about online safety and privacy.

### **6. **Reporting and Blocking**

**What It Is:**
   - **Reporting Tools**: Features that allow users to report inappropriate behavior or content.

**Key Features:**
   - **Report Functionality**: Users can report videos, accounts, and comments that violate TikTok's guidelines.
   - **Blocking**: Users can block accounts to prevent them from interacting with their content or seeing their profile.

### **7. **Direct Messaging Controls**

**What It Is:**
   - **Message Privacy**: Features that control who can send messages to a user.

**Key Features:**
   - **Message Restrictions**: Users under 16 have direct messaging disabled by default, and messages can only be received from friends.
   - **Control Settings**: Users can control who can send them messages and can also turn off direct messaging altogether.

### **8. **In-App Purchases and Ads**

**What It Is:**
   - **Ad and Purchase Controls**: Settings related to in-app purchases and ads.

**Key Features:**
   - **Ad Restrictions**: Restrictions on the types of ads shown to younger users.
   - **In-App Purchases**: Controls that limit or disable in-app purchases to prevent unauthorized spending.

### **9. **Parental Controls**

**What It Is:**
   - **Control Features**: Tools designed for parents to monitor and manage their child's TikTok activity.

**Key Features:**
   - **Activity Monitoring**: Parents can monitor their child's TikTok activity through Family Pairing.
   - **Content Restrictions**: Tools to restrict access to certain types of content and interactions.

By utilizing these features, TikTok aims to create a safer environment for younger users, protecting them from inappropriate content and interactions while providing tools for parents to manage their child's experience on the platform.