9 in 10 Parents Oppose TikTok for Kids Under 13, New Poll Finds
Key Summary
We asked CanadianParent readers a timely question: Should kids under 13 be allowed to use TikTok?
As of June 2026:
- 86.1% said No — it’s too addictive or inappropriate
- 90.5% either opposed TikTok entirely or supported only highly restricted access
- Just 9.8% supported access with parental supervision or strict limits
- More than 1,400 CanadianParent readers participated
The results suggest that Canadian parents are increasingly cautious about social media and believe younger children may not be ready for platforms like TikTok.
Key Findings
- 86.1% said children under 13 should not use TikTok.
- 90.5% either opposed TikTok entirely or supported only highly restricted access.
- Just 5.4% supported TikTok use with parental supervision.
- Only 4.4% supported limited use.
- More than 1,400 CanadianParent readers participated in the poll.
Canadian Parents Are Drawing a Line at Social Media
TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, particularly among teens and young adults. Yet despite its popularity, CanadianParent readers have made their position remarkably clear. When asked whether children under 13 should be allowed to use TikTok, the overwhelming majority said no.
The platform officially requires users to be at least 13 years old, but many younger children are exposed to TikTok content through family devices, older siblings, friends, or unauthorized accounts. As a result, parents continue to grapple with questions about the appropriate age for social media. Our poll suggests that most parents are not eager to move that age lower.
Why Parents Are Concerned
The strongest response option in our poll was “No, it’s too addictive/inappropriate,” which received more than eight out of every ten votes. This reflects several concerns that many parents share about social media in general and TikTok specifically.
The Addictive Nature of Endless Scrolling
TikTok’s algorithm is designed to serve users an endless stream of personalized content. Videos are short, engaging, and tailored to individual interests. While that helps make the platform entertaining, it can also make it difficult for children to put down their devices. Many parents worry that younger children lack the self-regulation skills necessary to manage highly engaging platforms responsibly.
Exposure to Mature Content
Although TikTok has moderation policies and parental controls, inappropriate content can still appear on users’ feeds. Parents often express concerns about:
- Sexualized content
- Profanity and mature themes
- Dangerous challenges
- Misinformation
- Unrealistic body image expectations
For younger children, even occasional exposure to this type of content can feel concerning.
Online Safety Risks
Social media introduces risks that younger children may not fully understand. These can include:
- Cyberbullying
- Contact from strangers
- Privacy concerns
- Oversharing personal information
- Social pressure from peers
Many parents believe waiting until children are older provides more time to develop the judgment and digital literacy skills needed to navigate these challenges.
A Small Number of Parents Support Limited Access
While opposition dominated the results, not every respondent felt TikTok should be completely off-limits. A combined 9.8% of respondents supported allowing access with parental supervision or strict limits. These parents may see educational value in some TikTok content, including:
- Science demonstrations
- Arts and crafts tutorials
- Cooking videos
- Educational creators
- Family-friendly entertainment
Some families also report success using shared accounts, co-viewing content together, or implementing strict screen-time rules. Still, the relatively small percentage of supportive responses suggests these views remain the exception rather than the norm among CanadianParent readers.
A Growing Trend Toward Delaying Social Media
This poll fits within a larger trend that many parents are already noticing. Families are increasingly delaying access to:
- Smartphones
- Social media platforms
- Messaging apps
- Online gaming communities
Rather than introducing digital tools as early as possible, many parents are choosing to wait until children demonstrate the maturity needed to use them responsibly. The conversation is no longer simply about screen time. It’s about readiness. Many parents appear to believe that younger children benefit from more time developing social skills, emotional regulation, and critical thinking before entering social media environments.
What the Experts Say
While parents remain divided on many aspects of technology use, experts generally agree that younger children benefit from a cautious approach to social media.
The Canadian Paediatric Society encourages families to focus on healthy screen habits and age-appropriate digital experiences, noting that younger children are still developing the critical thinking, emotional regulation, and social skills needed to navigate online spaces safely.
Many experts also point out that social media platforms are designed to maximize engagement, which can make it challenging for children to manage their own screen time. Features like endless scrolling, personalized content feeds, and social validation through likes and comments may be particularly influential for younger users.
Rather than rushing into social media, experts often recommend introducing technology gradually, using parental supervision, open conversations, and clear family rules to help children build healthy digital habits before joining platforms like TikTok.
What Parents Can Do Instead
For families who feel their children are not ready for TikTok, there are plenty of alternatives that provide entertainment and learning opportunities without many of the social pressures associated with traditional social media. Options include:
- Educational video platforms
- Family-friendly streaming services
- Creative apps focused on art, music, and storytelling
- Offline hobbies and activities
- Shared family technology experiences
The goal isn’t to eliminate technology but to introduce it in age-appropriate ways that support healthy development.
The Bottom Line
The results of this CanadianParent poll send a powerful message. More than 9 in 10 respondents either oppose TikTok for children under 13 or believe access should be heavily restricted. The overwhelming majority—86.1%—said the platform is simply too addictive or inappropriate for younger children.
While a small minority support supervised or limited use, most CanadianParent readers believe children should wait until they are older before joining TikTok. As social media continues to evolve, parents remain focused on a fundamental question: not whether kids will eventually use these platforms, but when they are truly ready.
Methodology
CanadianParent conducted an online poll asking readers: “Should kids under 13 be allowed to use TikTok?” A total of 1,416 respondents participated. Results as of June 2026:
- 86.1% (1,219 votes) — No, it’s too addictive/inappropriate
- 5.4% (77 votes) — Yes, with parental supervision
- 4.4% (62 votes) — Yes, but only limited use
- 2.8% (39 votes) — I’m undecided
As with all CanadianParent reader polls, results reflect the opinions of participating readers and are not intended to represent all Canadian parents.
Cite This Study
CanadianParent. (2026, June). 9 in 10 Parents Oppose TikTok for Kids Under 13, New Poll Finds. Results from a poll of 1,416 CanadianParent readers. CanadianParent.ca.
URL: https://canadianparent.ca/rewards/poll/should-kids-under-13-be-allowed-to-use-tiktok
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