Should Kids Under 13 Be Allowed to Use TikTok?

Should Kids Under 13 Be Allowed to Use TikTok?

Parents today are navigating a very different childhood than previous generations. Between smartphones, YouTube, gaming, and social media, many families are now asking a difficult question: should kids under 13 be allowed to use TikTok?

The popular video-sharing app is one of the most downloaded apps in the world, especially among tweens and teens. While many children see TikTok as harmless entertainment, parents and experts continue to debate its impact on mental health, attention spans, online safety, and screen addiction.

Some parents feel TikTok can be used safely with strong supervision, screen time limits, and age-appropriate content controls. Others worry the platform exposes younger kids to addictive algorithms, mature content, cyberbullying, unrealistic beauty standards, and excessive screen time.

TikTok’s official terms of service require users to be at least 13 years old, but many younger children still access the platform using family devices or parent-approved accounts.

A growing number of schools and experts are also raising concerns about short-form video content and how it may affect focus, sleep, and emotional regulation in children.

According to the  Canadian Paediatric Society, excessive recreational screen time can negatively impact sleep, physical activity, and mental wellness in children and youth.

At the same time, some parents argue that banning apps entirely is unrealistic in today’s world. Instead, they believe teaching digital literacy and healthy online habits may better prepare children for the future.

We want to hear from Canadian parents:

Should kids under 13 be allowed to use TikTok? Vote in our poll and see how other families across Canada feel about social media, screen time, and online safety for kids.