TikTok privacy settings: comments, DMs, duets and downloads

TikTok's privacy settings are in Profile, menu (three lines), Settings and privacy, Privacy. Go through them with your teen. If you've set up Family Pairing, you can manage several of these from your own phone.

Account

Private account

On. Only approved followers can see videos. It's on by default for 13 to 15 year olds; check it's still on.

Suggest your account to others

Off. Stops TikTok recommending your teen's account to contacts, Facebook friends, mutual connections and people who open their links.

Sync contacts and Facebook friends

Off, unless your teen wants to find specific friends.

Interactions

Comments

Friends or No one. Also turn on Filter all comments or filter specific keywords, so offensive comments are hidden.

Mentions and tags

Friends or No one.

Duet and Stitch

Only you or Friends. Duets and stitches let others build on your teen's video; strangers sometimes use them to mock.

Downloads

Off. Stops others downloading your teen's videos.

Direct messages (16 and 17)

Friends or No one. Under-16s can't use direct messages.

Liked videos and following list

Only me. Keeps them private.

Location

TikTok may use location for content and features. In your phone's settings, set TikTok's location access to Never or While using, and avoid tagging locations in posts.

Before posting

Teach your teen to check every video for:

• School uniform, ID, school name or logo
• The outside of the house, street signs or landmarks
• Information in the background: addresses on packages, family photos, mail
• Other people who didn't agree to be in the video

See teaching kids what not to share.

Blocking and reporting

Show your teen how to:

• Block an account (profile, Share or three-dot menu, Block)
• Report a video, comment or account
• Restrict someone's comments

Make sure they know they can tell you when something happens, and that you won't take their phone just for telling.