The TikTok privacy settings UK parents should switch on first, including Family Pairing, Restricted Mode, DM controls and download protections.
TikTok's defaults are aimed at engagement, not privacy. A short setup on your child's phone, plus your own Family Pairing account, removes most of the everyday risk: strangers in DMs, public videos, suggested-account exposure and unexpected downloads.
Go through the settings below in order. Each takes under a minute and shows what to set, where to find it, and why it matters.
Profile → Menu → Settings and Privacy → Privacy → Private Account. Tip: Set to On. Only approved followers can see videos. This is the single most important setting.
Profile → Menu → Settings and Privacy → Family Pairing → link parent and teen accounts. Tip: Lets you manage screen time, DMs, search and restricted mode from your own phone.
Settings and Privacy → Content Preferences → Restricted Mode. Tip: Filters out adult and mature content. Imperfect but a useful extra layer.
Settings and Privacy → Privacy → Direct messages → set to No one or Friends. Tip: For under-16s TikTok disables DMs by default; check it has not been switched back on.
Settings and Privacy → Privacy → Downloads → Off. Tip: Stops strangers saving your child's videos to share elsewhere.
Settings and Privacy → Privacy → Suggest your account to others → turn all four toggles off. Tip: Stops contacts, Facebook friends, people with their phone number and people who opened shared links from being recommended their profile.
Settings and Privacy → Ads → Personalised ads → Off. Tip: Reduces tracking-based targeting; teens cannot consent to this and should not be targeted.
Settings and Privacy → Security → 2-step verification → Email + SMS. Tip: Stops account takeover, which is how many abuse and impersonation cases start.
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.