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In a recent investigation, serious concerns have been raised about the safety of young users on TikTok, a widely used social media platform. A report by Global Witness, an organization focused on the effects of big technology on human rights, revealed that TikTok often directs children’s accounts toward inappropriate and explicit content with minimal effort. This alarming finding has intensified discussions about whether tech companies are doing enough to protect their youngest users in the online environment.
The study conducted by Global Witness involved creating fake TikTok accounts with the age set to 13 years old. They also enabled the platform’s ‘restricted mode,’ a feature designed to block unsuitable content, such as material with sexual themes. However, despite these safety measures, the researchers discovered that TikTok’s search bar suggestions quickly led to harmful material. Typing in the search field prompted phrases like ‘very rude skimpy outfits’ or even more explicit terms. Within just a few clicks, some accounts accessed pornographic videos, often hidden within seemingly innocent clips to evade the platform’s content moderation.
This issue is particularly troubling as it demonstrates how easily children can encounter content not intended for them. The tests by Global Witness were carried out both before and after the UK’s Online Safety Act came into effect on July 25, 2025. This new legislation demands that tech companies prevent children from accessing harmful material. Yet, the findings suggest that TikTok may not be fully adhering to these rules. Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has announced it will examine the report’s conclusions.
In response to the investigation, TikTok claimed they acted swiftly by removing the problematic videos and adjusting their search suggestion feature to stop such content from appearing. Nevertheless, this incident sheds light on a wider issue: the role of algorithms in determining what users see. These systems, which are meant to personalize content, sometimes fail to safeguard the most vulnerable users, such as children.
The situation raises a critical question about the responsibility of tech companies. Should platforms like TikTok be held more accountable for the content their systems promote, especially when it reaches young audiences? As online safety remains a pressing concern, the debate over how to protect children in digital spaces continues to grow.