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As reported by a recent investigation, the widely-used social media app has been observed to guide children's accounts to adult videos within a small number of clicks.

Testing Approach

A campaign organization created test accounts using a 13-year-old's birth date and turned on the platform's content restriction feature, which is meant to limit exposure to sexually suggestive content.

Researchers found that TikTok suggested sexually charged search terms to multiple test profiles that were set up on unused smartphones with no previous activity.

Alarming Recommendation Features

The terms suggested under the "you may like" feature featured "provocative attire" and "very rude babes" – and then advanced to phrases such as "explicit adult videos".

For three of the accounts, the inappropriate search terms were suggested immediately.

Fast Track to Adult Material

Within minimal interaction, the researchers encountered adult videos including revealing content to penetrative sex.

Global Witness claimed that the content attempted to evade moderation, usually by presenting the clip within an harmless image or video.

For one account, the process took two taps after logging on: one click on the search feature and then a second on the proposed query.

Regulatory Context

Global Witness, whose remit includes investigating digital platforms' effect on public safety, reported performing several experimental rounds.

One set occurred prior to the implementation of child protection rules under the UK's Online Safety Act on 25 July, and a second set after the regulations took effect.

Serious Findings

Researchers added that multiple clips included someone who looked like they were below the age of consent and had been reported to the online safety group, which oversees online child sexual abuse material.

The campaign group asserted that the video platform was in breach of the UK safety legislation, which obligates digital platforms to prevent children from viewing inappropriate videos such as explicit content.

Official Reaction

A communications officer for the UK communications regulator, which is responsible for regulating the law, commented: "We acknowledge the effort behind this study and will analyze its findings."

Official requirements for complying with the legislation indicate that online services that pose a substantial threat of presenting inappropriate videos must "modify their programming" to remove dangerous material from young users' timelines.

TikTok's content guidelines ban adult videos.

Platform Response

The social media company said that after being contacted from Global Witness, it had deleted the violating content and introduced modifications to its suggestion feature.

"Upon learning of these allegations, we acted promptly to investigate them, delete material that breached our guidelines, and launch improvements to our search suggestion feature," stated a company representative.