TikTok has introduced significant updates to its parental control features, allowing parents to remotely manage their children's accounts on the video-sharing platform. The new tools enable parents to block searches, restrict who can comment on videos, and prevent strangers from viewing posts.
Children can still override these restrictions, but any attempt to do so will notify the parent. The update follows a BBC Panorama investigation that highlighted safety concerns, including how predators exploited the app's recommendation engine to target young users. TikTok denied that the changes were prompted by the documentary, stating it continuously works on new security measures.
The expanded features are part of TikTok's Family Pairing system, launched earlier this year. Previously, parents could only limit content types, restrict private chats, and set time limits. Now, they can also disable search functions for content, users, hashtags, and sounds, and control comment settings.
TikTok emphasised that it has already implemented other safety measures this year, such as restricting direct messaging to users over 16 and prompting under-18s to set accounts to private upon joining. The company retained the option for children to unpair their device, which sends an alert to the parent and gives them 48 hours to restore the link before restrictions are lifted.
Child safety experts welcomed the balance between safety and surveillance. Andy Burrows of the NSPCC called the update a step in the right direction but stressed that regulation is needed to hold tech firms accountable. The NSPCC and other groups are concerned that the government's proposed Online Harms Bill may not be enacted until 2023 or 2024.
