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Online Safety Commission
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Youths (under 18)

Staying Safe on TikTok

Staying safe online

Setting privacy and safety controls

TikTok can be a fun place to explore ideas, follow trends and connect with others. What you post, see and engage with can shape your online experience. Learning how TikTok works and adjusting your settings can help you stay safe online.

How can TikTok's feed affect you?

TikTok learns from what you watch, like and scroll past. Your "For You” feed (opens in new tab) then shows you more similar videos that it thinks you like. This means your choices influence what continues to show up.

Even though TikTok has safety settings for younger users, you may still see videos that:

  • Pressure you to look or act a certain way

  • Share misleading or extreme opinions

  • Encourage risky behaviour or unrealistic expectations

  • Keep you scrolling even when you are tired or stressed

If videos on TikTok start to make you feel uncomfortable or bad about yourself, it may be time to adjust your settings to protect yourself.

What are TikTok's default protections for younger users?

The minimum age to create a TikTok account in Singapore is 13 years old. Some privacy and safety settings (opens in new tab) are turned on by default to give younger users aged 13 to 17 extra protection.

Settings to encourage healthy screen habits

  • Push notifications are turned off at night

  • A reminder to close TikTok appears after a total of 60 minutes is spent on it each day

Settings to limit interactions with strangers

  • Only accounts you follow back can comment on your posts and stories if you are 13 to 15 years old

  • Only followers can comment on your posts and stories if you are 16 to 17 years old

  • Direct messages are turned off if you are 13 to 15 years old

  • No one can download, "Stitch” (opens in new tab) or "Duet” (opens in new tab) with your videos

  • “TikTok LIVE” is not available

Filters to reduce inappropriate content

  • Mature content tagged as “audience controlled” are hidden

  • “TikTok Shop” is not available

“Family Pairing”

  • Your parents can link their accounts to yours using “Family Pairing” to support your safety

How can you further protect yourself on TikTok?

Even with these protections in place, you may still want more control over what you see and who can interact with you.

Choose what you see
Control who can see your content and interact with you
Watch your screen time

What else can you do when something does not feel right?

Sometimes, certain content or interactions may cause discomfort and make you feel unsafe.

When that happens, remember:

  • You do not have to respond or explain yourself

  • Saving screenshots or links can help if you want to report harmful behaviour

  • Blocking or reporting is okay

  • Talking to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher or counsellor, can help you figure out next steps

  • Getting support early can prevent things from getting worse

Where can you learn more about TikTok’s safety tools?

Visit these resources to find out more about staying safe on TikTok:

You can also explore other online safety resources on our website for more advice on staying safe online.

Learn more about protecting yourself online