TikTok To Disable Direct Messages for Users Under 16, Introduces Family Pairing for Better Parental Controls

TikTok’s Family Pairing feature will allow parents to control how much time their children spend on the app.

Advertisement
By Vineet Washington | Updated: 16 April 2020 18:06 IST
Highlights
  • TikTok is adding a new Family Pairing feature
  • It allows parents to control their child’s time on the app
  • TikTok is also disabling Direct Message for users under the age of 16

TikTok is available for free on the Play Store and App Store

TikTok is among the most used social media apps. It allows its users to create and share short videos. In these times, when people are staying home to avoid the spread of coronavirus, sharing videos and messages online has become a more prominent mode of communication. But this also means that kids, especially teens, may be spending too much time on the app. To rectify this, TikTok is introducing a feature called Family Pairing that will give parents additional control over their children's usage of the app, including direct messages. Additionally, TikTok will be disabling Direct Messages for users under the age of 16.

According to a blog post by TikTok, the new Family Pairing feature will give parents greater control over how much time their children spend on the app and who they message, among other restrictions.

Advertisement

With this feature, parents will be able to link their TikTok account to their child's account and set restrictions on direct messages. Additionally, Family Pairing will also allow parents to set controls on the time their kids spend on the app as a part of Screen Time Management. Another part to this feature is Restricted Mode. It is unclear exactly what will be available as a part of this Restricted Mode.

Additionally, TikTok has announced that is going to disable Direct Messages for its younger users.

“While Direct Messaging can be an amazing way to make new friends and connections. User safety is paramount. Starting April 30, TikTok will be taking existing protections one step further as relates to younger members of our community, and automatically disabling Direct Messages for registered accounts under the age of 16,” TikTok said

Among messaging related features and options available on TikTok, the short video sharing app allows users to only get messages from approved users. Additionally, TikTok does not allow images or videos to be sent in messages.

Advertisement

TikTok can be downloaded for free on Android and iOS via Google Play Store and Apple App Store, respectively.


 

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. iQOO Neo 12 Launch Date, Colour Options Revealed
  2. OnePlus 16 Software Testing Reportedly Begins; Could Launch In India Soon
  3. Redmi K100 Will Launch on This Date: See Design, New Colourway
  4. How Large Is iPhone Duo's Battery? Apple Has Finally Revealed the Answer
  1. Cysic Shuts Down Bridge After Attacker Illegally Creates 10 Million CYS Tokens
  2. JPM Coin Arrives on Ethereum as JPMorgan Expands Institutional Payments
  3. Vivo V80 FE Reportedly Spotted on BIS Certification Website, India Launch Seems Imminent
  4. Airtel’s New Recharges in India Announced: Rs. 185, Rs. 203 and Rs. 206 Voice-Only Plans Details
  5. Vivo X500 Ultra Leak Reveals Launch Timeline, Chipset, Display and Key Specifications
  6. iQOO Neo 12 Launch Date Announced; Design, Colour Options Teased
  7. Qubic Halts Chain as Attacker Exploits Weak Seeds to Drain 1,400 Wallets
  8. iPhone Duo Battery Capacity Revealed Days Before Foldable Goes on Sale
  9. Poco X8s Gets Listed on Another Certification Website, Hinting at Imminent Launch
  10. Redmi Pad 3 Spotted on Multiple Certification Sites Ahead of Launch; Key Specifications Revealed
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.