For several years, TikTok has boasted a feature called “Family Pairing.” It lets parents control their children’s privacy settings by linking the parents’ accounts to their kids’. As described in our 2020 article, parents can control the amount of time their child is on the app, restrict or turn off direct messages, select who can see their child’s content, and limit exposure to inappropriate videos by allowing certain words or hashtags to be filtered out and avoided, all from their account.
In the time since “Family Pairing” was introduced, TikTok continues to offer enhancements that keep young users safe while helping them explore their interests. We’ve outlined several options below.
Setting up “Family Pairing” on TikTok
Before we dive into the newer features for parents, let’s look at the instructions for setting up this feature, via TikTok’s Help Center:
How to set up Family Pairing
To link parent and teen accounts:
1. In the TikTok app, tap Profile at the bottom.
2. Tap the Menu button at the top.
3. Tap Settings and privacy, then tap Family Pairing.
4. Tap Parent or Teen.
5. Follow the steps in the app to link accounts.
How to manage Family Pairing controls
To manage or view Family Pairing controls:
1. In the TikTok app, tap Profile at the bottom.
2. Tap the Menu button at the top.
3. Tap Settings and privacy, then tap Family Pairing.
4. Select the account you want to manage.
5. Update the controls, as needed.
To learn more, the video platform’s Help Center has detailed instructions on employing this feature and customizing your teen’s account settings.
STEM feed
If your teen likes learning about science, technology, engineering, and math, this feature prioritizes these videos in their feed. Common Sense Networks and Poynter check the content in the feed to ensure they’re appropriate and accurate. STEM feed is on by default for those under 18. Because adults also like these videos, you can opt-in by going to Settings and privacy > Content preferences > STEM feed inside the app.
Screen time management
Beginning last March, TikTok set a one-hour time limit on every account owned by a minor. If a teen wants to continue watching, TikTok will display a prompt to enter a passcode to extend their time. Anyone under 18 who opts out of the 60-minute default and spends over 100 minutes on the app is prompted to set a daily screen time limit.
Additionally, parents using “Family Pairing” can customize screen time limits, as well as for certain days of the week: For example, you could give your kids more time on the weekends to check out videos featuring the latest viral dance challenge. Parents also have access to their teen’s Screen Time Dashboard, which displays how much time is spent on the app, how many moments it was opened, and a breakdown of when it was used.
Mute notifications
If you want your child to remain focused during school and sleeping hours, a new setting allows parents to silence push notifications for their child. By default, teens ages 13 to 15 don’t receive alerts after 9 p.m., and teens ages 16 and 17 years old don’t see alerts after 10 p.m.
For more information on these features, you can check out this guide TikTok worked on with the National PTA. There are also educational safety videos and a Guardian’s Guide.
