SAFETY UPDATEParental ControlsPublished: July 2025

TikTok Unveils New Safety Features for Parents

Enhanced parental controls give families more visibility and customization options

Key Takeaway

TikTok's July 2025 safety update introduces comprehensive parental controls that give families greater visibility into teen account activity and customizable safety settings. These features strengthen TikTok's Family Pairing system and address concerns about teen social media use.

New Parental Control Features

๐Ÿ“Š Enhanced Activity Dashboard

Parents can now view comprehensive activity reports including:

  • Daily screen time summaries
  • Most-watched content categories
  • Account interactions and follows
  • Search history overview

๐Ÿ”’ Customizable Privacy Settings

Granular controls for teen account privacy:

  • Who can comment on videos (Everyone, Friends, No One)
  • Who can duet/stitch content
  • Who can view liked videos
  • Direct message permissions

โฐ Advanced Screen Time Management

New time management tools include:

  • Scheduled "quiet time" when app is restricted
  • Daily time limit reminders
  • Bedtime mode (restricts use during set hours)
  • Break reminders every 30-60 minutes

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Content Filtering Options

Parents can now filter content shown to teens:

  • Restricted Mode (filters mature content)
  • Keyword filtering (block specific topics)
  • Age-appropriate content preferences
  • Reporting and blocking tools

How to Set Up Family Pairing

  1. 1

    Open TikTok Settings

    Both parent and teen open TikTok โ†’ Me โ†’ Menu (three lines) โ†’ Settings and Privacy

  2. 2

    Navigate to Family Pairing

    Tap "Family Pairing" under the Privacy section

  3. 3

    Link Accounts

    Parent selects "Parent," teen selects "Teen," then scan QR code to link accounts

  4. 4

    Customize Settings

    Parents can now adjust all safety and privacy settings for the linked teen account

Best Practices for Families

  • โœ“

    Start with Conversation

    Discuss online safety before implementing controls

  • โœ“

    Review Together Weekly

    Check activity dashboard together and discuss any concerns

  • โœ“

    Balance Safety and Privacy

    Respect teen autonomy while maintaining appropriate oversight

  • โœ“

    Adjust as Teens Mature

    Gradually loosen restrictions as teens demonstrate responsible use