Protection of minors in social mediaNew functions for families on TikTok

TikTok is one of the world's most popular social media platforms and is also very popular with children and young people in Germany. According to the terms of use, the minimum age for TikTok is 13. Five years ago, TikTok introduced supervised mode for underage users, which gives legal guardians more insight and control over their children's TikTok use. Accompanied mode is now being expanded to include three new functions. We provide information about the new features and give tips for media education.

New functions for families on TikTok

According to the KIM and JIM media usage studies, TikTok is one of the most important apps for children and young people in Germany. The trendy short video platform offers entertaining usage options and enables participation. The long dwell time and the potential risks of use are, however, a legitimate concern for parents, guardians and youth protection workers. The risks include, for example, participation in dangerous challenges and contact risks such as cybergrooming.

What is supervised mode on TikTok? 

Accompanied mode allows a parent or other legal guardian to link their own TikTok account to the minor's account and set the usage time, for example. Legal guardians also have the option of regulating what content their child can search for and whether videos for adults can be displayed.

What functions are new in assisted mode?

Time-out
The new time-out function allows parents and guardians to interrupt their children's use at set times. For example, young people can take fixed breaks during joint family activities or school and study times. If required, parents and guardians can also create a recurring schedule that is tailored to family life. Young people must ask their parents within the app for permission to adjust the schedule and temporarily cancel the time off.

The image shows two screenshots from TikTok. The first image shows an overview of the different time-outs per weekday for a teenager account. For example, a time-out from 22:00 to 06:00 is set for Sundays. The second image shows the screen that is displayed to teenagers when they try to use TikTok during a time-out. They are informed by a text that a time-out has been set for them and from when to when it applies. They also have the option to click on a button below to request permission to use it from their parent.
Source: https://newsroom.tiktok.com/de-de/mehr-schutz-fuer-jugendliche-mit-einfachen-tools-fuer-familien

Transparency with followers
A new feature in supervised mode allows parents and guardians to see who their child follows on TikTok, who follows the child and which accounts have been blocked by the child. This enhanced transparency gives parents a more detailed insight into their child's network and allows them to have a targeted conversation about it.

The image shows four screenshots of TikTok side by side. The first screenshot shows the overview menu that parents see when they manage their child's TikTok account. The second screenshot shows which accounts the teenager account follows. The third screenshot shows which accounts follow the teenager account. The fourth screenshot shows which accounts have been blocked by the teenager account.
Source: https://newsroom.tiktok.com/de-de/mehr-schutz-fuer-jugendliche-mit-einfachen-tools-fuer-familien

Meditationfunction
The new meditation function is designed to help young people avoid using TikTok at night. If minors under the age of 16open TikTok after 10 pm, their "For you" feed is automaticallyinterrupted by the meditation function. If they decide to continue using TikTok anyway, another reminder will appear that is harder to skip.

The image shows five screenshots from TikTok. You can see what content is displayed when a child tries to access TikTok after 10 pm. Users are guided through a breathing exercise designed to ensure a restful sleep: "Relax your mind", "Breathe in", "Hold your breath for a moment" and "Breathe out". The "Back to TikTok for now" button can also be seen at the bottom of each screenshot. The button is comparatively small and much less conspicuous than the instructions for the breathing exercise, which are displayed prominently in the middle of the screen.
Source: https://newsroom.tiktok.com/de-de/mehr-schutz-fuer-jugendliche-mit-einfachen-tools-fuer-familien

How do I set up companion mode on TikTok?

  1. Tap on "Profile" at the bottom of the TikTok app .
  2. Tap the "Menu " button at the top ☰ and then select "Settings and privacy".
  3. Tap on "Accompanied mode".
  4. Tap on "Next".
  5. Tap on "Parent" or "Teenager" and then on "Next".
  6. Follow the steps listed to link the accounts.

Detailed step-by-step instructions and videos are available at www.medien-kindersicher.de. 

What should parents bear in mind?  

  • The protective measures for underage users only apply if the correct age is specified when registering. Age is not verified during download and registration. 
  • If you want to allow your child to use TikTok , set up the account together and use all available security settings.
  • Technical protection functions do not offer 100% protection against harmful content and negative experiences.  
  • The protective measures relate to the Minimum age from 13 yearswhich TikTok prescribes for use. 

Media usage studies such as KIM show that children in the six to 13 age group are already using social media services such as Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok. However, children in this age group have not yet gained enough online experience and have not developed enough media skills to use social media services safely. Find out in our topic areas and in our parent guides why these platforms are not suitable for primary school children and what child-friendly alternatives are available. 

  • Explain to your child why social media platforms are not suitable for children. Talk openly about the dangers and risks. 
  • Explain the manipulative mechanisms in social media services. Then find binding rules for screen time and restrictions on app use together. 
  • Use the supervised mode to maintain an ongoing dialog with young people about TikTok use. Also discuss which trends, challenges or creators are currently popular on the platform. Adolescents in puberty in particular are burdened by social comparisons and body-related ideals.

Ask your child

Which challenges has your child participated in or would they participate in? Does your child have a favorite channel or creator? And if so, what fascinates your child about this content? Here you can find more conversation starters.

Suitable information from klicksafe

You can find more information in our topic areas on  TikTok, social networks (with an overview of parental control options on the most important platforms), digital wellbeing and media education.