Short-form video platform TikTok said it uses behavioral signals beyond self-declared birthdates to detect minors and apply age-appropriate safeguards, as the platform faced questions over enforcement in shared-device Filipino households and regulatory scrutiny abroad.
The popular social media app faced investigation in Europe, earlier in February this year, under the Digital Services Act, wherein the European Commission examined whether features such as autoplay and algorithmic recommendations could contribute to compulsive behavior among users.
During a teen safety forum held last Feb. 19, TikTok Philippines outlined protections for users aged 13 to 15, including private-by-default accounts, disabled direct messaging and limits on content visibility.
Posts from that age group are not recommended on the “For You” feed, while teen accounts are subject to a 60-minute default screen time setting.
“Our goal is to ensure that users on our platform and on the online space, all can express themselves, be authentic,” Yves Gonzalez, head of Public Policy TikTok Philippines told the media. “But at the same time, the most important thing is, of course, to be safe online.”
Gonzales said that the company in the Philippines is also aware of the findings and noted that TikTok will make an appeal, while maintaining that it has among the most robust teen safety measures in the place.
The public policy head also addressed the concern over how the platform enforces age restrictions in Filipino households where devices are often shared among siblings and parents.
He said that TikTok does not rely solely on the birthdate declared during account registration but also analyzes internal “signals.”
These signals come from analyzing the type of content viewed and created, which may determine whether an account holder may be a minor.
“If we determine, for example, that it’s a 12-year-old using this account, we will terminate that account because, again, it is a violation of our policy,” Gonzales said.
Aside from age-based restrictions, Tiktok said it has more than 50-preset teen safety and privacy features designed to promote digital well-being and responsible engagement.
This includes the Family Pairing feature, which allows parents or guardians to customize a teen’s account setting and receive report alerts.
TikTok also has introduced a Time and Well-being section within the app, featuring a screen time dashboard, well-being missions, an affirmation journal and a soothing sound generator aimed at encouraging healthier digital habits among young users.
During the event, the company also launched the #ThinkTwive Troop, an advocacy initiative composed of child rights organizations, youth safety advocates and creators.
