Parents Guide to Blocking TikTok on a Child's devices
Prevent a child from using TikTok either permanently or temporarily
If you are trying to restrict access to TikTok for a child, you might have tried deleting the app only to find that it's too easy to reinstall and use it again.
It's also possible to access the TikTok app from a web browser like Google Chrome, so effectively blocking TikTok isn't always straightforward.
Blocking techniques also vary depending on the devices your child uses.
In this guide, we'll walk you through exactly how to block TikTok using approaches that work for parents managing a child's devices. We'll also go through strategies for permanent or temporary TikTok restriction and we'll explore approaches that work on each device.
Is it worth completely restricting your child from accessing TikTok?
Here are a few of our top reasons why you might block TikTok, restricting your child from accessing it entirely:
Inappropriate TikTok profiles can be difficult to filter out
TikTok profiles are often used to advertise adult content either subtly or blatantly. This can be a particular problem if you are trying to prevent your child from seeking out or accidentally finding adult content.
TikTok might suggest inappropriate content
TikTok might suggest images or videos that you'd rather prevent your child from seeing. Even if parental control preferences are adjusted to hide obvious explicit content, TikTok might still suggest content that can be a "stumbling block" for your child.
Connecting strangers
The TikTok feed includes posts and reels from strangers, not just friends and connections. It's possible for strangers on TikTok to private message your child.
Alternatives to completely blocking TikTok for your child
Depending on your reasons for wanting to block your child from using TikTok, you might find that there are alternative approaches you can use so that your child can still use TikTok:
Increase transparency around TikTok use
Many of the issues surrounding TikTok can be addressed by increasing transparency around a person's use of it by using a screen monitoring app. With this approach, a person can have some additional freedom to use platforms that might be problematic without transparency.
Customize preferences for problematic TikTok features
It's possible to customize the TikTok account preferences to minimize the impact of some of the most problematic features of the app. For example, you can customize profile visibility, and content & communication preferences.
Schedule TikTok use
Another approach is to schedule when TikTok is blocked so that your child can still use it sometimes on devices. You can limit access to the app to specific times of the day where you are able to supervise their use of TikTok. For example, you might choose to only allow TikTok in the morning before school, but block it at night.
Choosing the right approach for restricting a child from using TikTok
In order to provide you with the best possible guide, we need to consider a few things to direct you to the most effective way to block TikTok on a child's device.
What devices does your child have access to?
We'll discuss some universal blocking approaches in this guide, but the advice will vary based on the devices you are trying to restrict your child from accessing TikTok. See the following guides for a more specific approach:
Enable a DNS Content Policy
We recommend setting up a DNS Content Policy on the Unknown, which gives you more control over TikTok and other content. For example, you can use a default-deny approach to block all social media apps other than the ones you know to be safe. You can also schedule access to TikTok so that it's only available during certain times of the day.
Block TikTok from a Child's device with a DNS Content Policy
A universal approach that can be used to block TikTok for any person or Unknown is to use a DNS Content Policy
This approach disables the internet access for TikTok so that it can't function. The app can still be downloaded, but it will not work.
Here's how it works:
Add a new block rule
In the Tech Lockdown dashboard, go to the Content Policy section and add a new block rule with TikTok selected
Customize the schedule
Select a schedule if you want to only block TikTok on specific recurring days and times. Otherwise, leave the schedule blank to block TikTok 24/7.
Specify who the rule applies to
Select an audience if you want to only block TikTok from specific people. Otherwise, leave the audience blank to block TikTok from everyone.
Connect Devices
Go to the Devices section of the Tech Lockdown dashboard and follow the setup instructions to connect devices to the Content Policy
Optional: Lock your Tech Lockdown Profile
If you are self-restricting access to TikTok, you can lock your Tech Lockdown profile so that you have to wait a certain amount of time before you can unblock TikTok.