TikTok adds new parental controls to family pairing

TikTok is expanding Family Pairing — its toolset that allows parents to manage their teen’s account — with new features aimed at giving families more control.

The updates are already rolling out in Europe and, according to the company, were developed based on feedback from parents.

Here’s what’s now possible:

Get notified when your teen posts
Parents will automatically receive alerts when their teen uploads public videos, stories, or photos. TikTok says this helps parents stay informed without interfering with their child’s creative freedom.

Check privacy settings
Parents can see if video downloads are enabled (available to users aged 16–17), whether the follower list is public, and who can view the teen’s content. The idea is to make privacy settings more transparent and spark conversations about online safety.
Block specific accounts
Parents can hide selected accounts so their content doesn’t appear in the teen’s feed — and block interactions entirely. If the teen wants to unblock someone, they can send a request, but the final say rests with the parent. This feature is launching in Europe.

See what’s shaping the algorithm
Family Pairing now shows the interests the teen has selected through TikTok’s “Topic Management” feature. According to TikTok, this helps parents better understand their teen’s digital environment and find new conversation starters.

The new tools are part of TikTok’s broader strategy to comply with European regulations and strengthen protections for teens. The company emphasizes that parents know what’s best for their children, and these features offer more flexibility to shape a safer digital space.