TikTok's kids mode fails with child-friendly content
TikTok has a children's mode, but it is "only by name" for young users. Most of the videos in this mode are probably not suitable for children.
(Image: Primakov/Shutterstock.com)
TikTok advertises its "Under 13 Experience" as a safe space for children, but it is said to predominantly contain content that is not suitable for this target group. This is the result of a new study by the University of California, Irvine, which has now uncovered serious shortcomings in this mode. TikTok introduced this function exclusively in the USA back in 2019. In all other countries, TikTok's terms of use categorically prohibit access for under 13-year-olds.
The researchers analyzed 1471 videos from the children's mode using the COPPA criteria for child-friendly content and found that 83% did not meet the standards. COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) is the US child protection law and defines, among other things, what content is considered suitable for children. This includes videos with animated characters or child-friendly activities that depict peers or contain advertising for children's toys.
Most of the content observed fell into general categories such as "nature" or "landscapes", which are harmless but not specifically designed for children. In addition, the researchers discovered nine videos with inappropriate content, including sexually explicit or vulgar music and lyrics. These findings are in stark contrast to the stated purpose of this function, which is to protect children from harmful content.
Safety button leads nowhere
The study reveals further problems with the children's section. 24% of the videos were repeated at least twice, which indicates a limited supply of content. In some cases, the scientists saw identical sequences from up to 17 videos several times. However, TikTok's user experience in particular thrives on displaying content from completely different niches with every swipe. This monotony could tempt children to switch to TikTok's regular version, where they would in turn be exposed to greater risks.
In addition, the children's mode lacked important safety functions. There is no comprehensive parental control, no accessibility settings and the "Safety" button in the settings even leads nowhere. The only time limit can be bypassed with a simple math problem.
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Contradictory content strategy
The situation seems paradoxical in comparison to TikTok's main platform. This is full of child-friendly content. The researchers found at least ten specialized profiles or verified accounts for each of 25 popular children's series and games. This abundance of available material makes TikTok's lack of curation for children's mode all the more incomprehensible, according to the paper, which has not yet been peer-reviewed.
The findings could have legal consequences. According to COPPA, child-friendly services must actually be geared towards children. The researchers therefore recommend that regulatory authorities carry out similar investigations and consider enforcement measures.
TikTok is already under fire for alleged COPPA violations. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the US Department of Justice sued the company in 2024 for illegally collecting data from children. Whether TikTok is suitable for children also plays a role in the ongoing proceedings to ban the app in the US. This new study provides further evidence of fundamental problems with child protection.
(mma)
