TikTok age rules: what changes at 13, 16 and 18

TikTok applies different default settings depending on a user's age. These protections only work if your child's account has their real birthday.

The details below reflect TikTok's published teen protections at the time of writing. They change from time to time, so check the current settings in the app.

Under 13

TikTok's terms say users must be 13 or older. Accounts found to belong to under-13s can be removed.

13 to 15

• Private account by default
• Direct messages not available
• Duet, Stitch and downloads of their videos restricted
• Comments limited to friends or no one
• Suggest your account to others off by default
• Their videos are generally not recommended in other people's For You feeds
• No push notifications in the late evening
• 60-minute daily screen time limit by default (they can enter a passcode to continue, unless a parent controls it through Family Pairing)
• Can't host LIVE or send gifts

16 to 17

• Direct messages available, with restrictive defaults
• More options for Duet and Stitch
• No push notifications later in the evening
• 60-minute daily screen time limit by default
• Can't host LIVE or send gifts (18 and over only)

18 and over

• Full access, including LIVE hosting and buying coins to send gifts

Why the birthday matters

TikTok uses the birthday entered at sign-up, plus its own age detection systems, to decide which protections apply. If your child entered a fake birthday to sign up early, they're treated as older and lose these protections.

If that's happened, you have options:

• Talk with your child about why their real age matters.
• Change the birthday through TikTok's support channels (TikTok may not allow direct editing).
• Start a new account with the correct birthday.

Family Pairing adds more

On top of these defaults, Family Pairing lets you set stricter limits for your teen. See also TikTok privacy settings.