Technologies

Is TikTok Safe for Kids? Change These 11 Privacy Settings Right Now

TikTok can be a dangerous place, especially for teenagers. Here’s how you can help protect them.

TikTok is the second-most-popular social media site among teenagers in the US. It not only offers kids an endless stream of entertaining videos, TikTok also connects people with their friends and family and with people who have similar interests. And it gives folks the chance to go viral with one of their own creations. But there’s also a dark side of TikTok.

Many kids and teens who have their videos go viral are subjected to harassment, ridicule and bullying. There’s also the worry of violent and obscene videos coming up in their timelines. Not to mention anonymous users sending inappropriate messages.

If you have kids on TikTok, or even use the service yourself, it’s important to become familiar with the features and settings TikTok offers to keep you safer while you’re online. Here are 11 settings that can help protect you from unwanted followers, harmful comments and violent videos on TikTok.

See everyone who views your TikTok profile

If you have a public account and you’re over 16 years old, anyone on TikTok can access your profile and watch your videos. (Accounts for people under 16 are automatically set to private.)

For many users, widespread exposure is the attraction of TikTok. It’s a chance for your content to be seen around the world. But you may not want everyone, like bullies or even some family members, to be able to view your TikTok account.

Luckily, it’s easy to find everyone who has looked at your profile.

On TikTok, go to Profile and tap on the three-dash menu in the top right.
Tap Settings and privacy and go into Privacy.
Hit Profile views and toggle on Profile view history.

If you enable the profile views setting on TikTok, other people will be able to see when you check out their profile.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

You’ll now be able to see everyone who’s viewed your profile in the last 30 days. If you find someone that you don’t want to have access to your profile and videos, you can then block them.

Block accounts on TikTok so they can’t see your profile

If you want to stop a certain account from being able to see your profile, you can block them — whether they’re harassing or stalking you, or for any reason you like.

First, find the account you want to block and go to their profile.
Next, tap on the three-dot icon in the top right.
Finally, hit the Block button in the small menu that appears and then hit Block again when prompted.

Blocking people on TikTok — Block someone’s account so they can’t see your profile, send you messages and more.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Not only will a blocked account be unable to view your profile, they also can’t send you messages or even find your profile by searching for it. However, if your video is in a duet or you’re on a livestream with multiple hosts, it’s possible that a blocked account may be able to see those videos.

Set your TikTok account to private to control who can see it

The easiest way to maintain your privacy on TikTok is to make your account private, meaning only people you actively allow can view your profile and videos. To make your account private:

Go to Profile in the nav bar at the bottom of the page.
Tap the three-dash menu in the top right.
Hit Settings and privacy > Privacy
Toggle Private account to On

Private account setting on TikTok — If your TikTok account is private, only those you accept as friends will be able to see your videos.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

After changing to a private account, only users that you approve can follow your account and watch your videos, but existing followers are allowed to continue following you. If that’s a problem, you’ll need to individually block any followers that you don’t want seeing your videos.

Stop people from downloading your TikTok videos

By default, anyone who stumbles across your video on TikTok can download it using the site’s built-in video download feature. If you don’t feel comfortable with other people having your videos saved on their devices, you can disable that feature.

Go to Profile > three-dash menu > Settings and privacy
Tap Downloads underneath the Interactions heading
Toggle Video downloads to Off

Video downloads setting on TikTok — There are still other ways to download videos from TikTok, especially with third-party services.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Unfortunately, there are other ways that people can download your videos, such as screen recording, third-party apps and shortcuts, but this setting will prevent one of the most popular (and easiest) ways of downloading videos from TikTok.

Report problematic accounts, videos or comments on TikTok

Blocking an account may not always be enough. If an account is pretending to be someone else or harassing people in general, you might be able to report the offending actions and have the account restricted or permanently banned. Not only can you report individual accounts, but also specific videos, comments and direct messages.

To report hateful, violent or other prohibited content on TikTok:

Account: Go to the account profile of the offending party, tap the three-dot icon in the top right, hit Report and follow the instructions.
Video: Long press on the video, tap Report and follow the instructions.
Live: Long press on the live video, tap Report and follow the instructions.
Comment: Long press on the comment, tap Report and follow the instructions.
Direct Message: Long press on the message or messages, tap Report and follow the instructions.

Reporting a video on TikTok — You can report TikTok accounts, videos, comments and other improper behavior.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

You can report something for a variety of reasons, including minor safety, disordered eating, self-harm, adult nudity, bullying, harassment, spam, harmful misinformation, illegal activities, violent content and more.

Stop TikTok from recommending your account to other people

If you want your account to stay low-key and away from too many people’s eyes, you can stop your account from being suggested to other people that might have your contact information on their phone or have mutual friends with you. To stop your account from being recommended by TikTok:

Go to Profile > three-dash menu > Settings and privacy > Privacy
Tap Suggest your account to others
Toggle off all the options

Setting to stop suggesting your account to others on TikTok — By default, your account is suggested to other people on TikTok.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Your TikTok account is normally suggested to several groups, including your contacts, Facebook friends, people with mutual connections and people who open or send links to you (including links to content on TikTok that are shared outside of TikTok). Disable all of the settings to stop your account from being suggested at all, which will make it harder to find.

Keep your TikTok comment section safe and healthy

Comments on any social media service can quickly turn hostile, and TikTok is no exception. Fortunately there are several features buried in your TikTok settings to help you moderate your comments and eliminate spam and hateful comments.

To find your comment settings, go to Profile > three-dash menu > Settings and privacy > Privacy > Comments. Consider adjusting the following settings:

Who can comment on your videos and Stories: Choose between all of your Followers, Followers that you also follow or No one.
Comment filters: You can choose to filter all comments, only spam and offensive comments or comments with certain keywords. All filtered comments will be hidden until you individually approve them.
Comment management: Here is where you can review your filtered comments, choosing Approve or Delete to decide which comments will appear beneath your videos.

Comments settings on TikTok — Don’t like what’s going on in your comment section? Use these settings to manage it.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Restrict who can tag and mention you on TikTok

As long as someone knows your TikTok username, they can tag you in other videos or mention you in comments. If someone is tagging you in videos you don’t want to see or mentioning you in comments as a way of targeted harassment, there is a way to prevent unwanted tagging.

First, you’ll need to find the mentions and tags settings. Go to Profile > three-dash menu > Settings and privacy > Privacy > Mentions and tags, and configure these settings:

Who can tag you: Choose between Everyone, People you follow, People that follow you back or No one.
Who can mention you: Again, choose between Everyone, People you follow, People that follow you back or No one.

Mentions and tags settings on TikTok — You can restrict who mentions and tags you on TikTok

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

An in-box notification setting can also send you a notification anytime someone you follow likes or comments on videos you’re mentioned in, but that doesn’t really affect your privacy on TikTok.

Stop direct messages from strangers and stalkers on TikTok

While most content on TikTok is out there for the world to see, direct messages aren’t so clear and visible. Many people use DMs to harass, bully and spam other people. However, there is a way to help prevent that from happening to you.

Go to Profile > three-dash menu > Settings and privacy > Privacy > Direct messages, and change these settings:

Who can send you direct messages: Choose between Followers that follow you back, People you sent messages to or No one.
Message preference: If you toggle Filtered requests on, messages from people that TikTok suspects as being malicious or spammy will appear in your filtered requests until you reply to them.

Direct messages settings on TikTok — Don’t let just anyone send you a direct message.

Nelson Aguilar

Restrict who can Duet or Stitch your TikTok videos

On TikTok, you can react to other videos by either inserting yourself into their videos or using their videos in your own. The Duet feature lets you create a reaction split-screen video, combining half of your video with half of someone’s else’s video to create a single reaction video. With the Stitch feature, your video and someone else’s video are integrated into each other — you can edit a portion of their video into yours.

If you’re not a fan of these features or don’t want other users putting your videos into theirs, you can disable them so that no one can Duet or Stitch your video. To do this, go to Profile > three-dash menu > Settings and privacy > Privacy and then:

Duet: Choose between Followers, Followers that follow back or No one.
Stitch: Choose between Followers, Followers that follow back or No one.

Duet and Stitch settings on TikTok — The Duet and Stitch features are fun, but they can also get out of control.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

If your account is set to private, no one but you can create a Duet or Stitch with your videos.

Prevent others from viewing your following list and liked videos

You might post videos on TikTok for everyone to see, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you want everyone to be able to see who you’re following or which videos you like. Who you follow and what you like can give others more information than you might want to share, but you can easily set TikTok so that no one but you can see your follower list and liked videos.

To stop others from viewing your following list or liked videos, go go to Profile > three-dash menu > Settings and privacy > Privacy and then:

Following list: Choose between Followers or Only me.
Liked videos: Choose between Followers or Only me.

Following list and liked videos settings on TikTok — Just because you follow accounts and like videos doesn’t mean the whole world needs to know it.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

If you select the «only me» option for the following list, other users will still be able to see your mutual friends.

For more about TikTok and privacy, learn how the company is protecting young users from inappropriate videos and why some US regulators are worried about TikTok sharing private user data with China.

Technologies

Reddit Surges Past Expectations with 69% Revenue Growth in Q1

Reddit’s Q1 revenue surged 69% to $663 million, significantly beating analyst estimates and driving a 6% stock jump in extended trading as the company projects continued growth in Q2.

Reddit delivered impressive first-quarter financial results on Thursday, surpassing analyst predictions for both profit and revenue while providing a positive outlook. Shares climbed 6% in after-hours trading.

Here is how the company performed against LSEG forecasts:

Earnings per share: $1.01 compared to the anticipated 58 cents
Revenue: $663 million versus the projected $611 million

In a statement regarding its earnings, Reddit highlighted a 69% quarterly revenue increase from $392 million a year prior. Net income surged to $204 million, or $1.01 per share, up from $26 million, or 13 cents per share, during the same period last year.

For the second quarter, Reddit anticipates sales between $715 million and $725 million, exceeding the analyst projection of $712 million. Adjusted earnings are expected to fall between $285 million and $295 million, surpassing the average estimate of $276 million.

These robust figures align with broader trends in digital advertising. Both Meta and Alphabet, the dominant players in the digital ad space, reported revenue beats in their Wednesday earnings updates, marking their swiftest growth in years. Additionally, both companies announced plans to boost their investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Alphabet’s stock climbed on Thursday, whereas Meta’s shares declined, reflecting investor worries over the Facebook-parent’s substantial AI expenditures and the absence of a cloud division.

Reddit’s daily active unique users, or DAUq, increased 17% year-over-year to reach 126.8 million for the quarter, beating analyst forecasts of 125.9 million.

Average revenue per user, or ARPU, stood at $5.23, outperforming the $4.81 estimate. The company’s U.S.-specific ARPU was recorded at $9.63, ahead of Wall Street’s projection of $8.53.

«Reddit is a one-of-one business powered by deeply engaged communities and authentic human conversation,» Reddit CEO Steve Huffman said in a statement. «That foundation is driving a rare combination of growth, profitability, and efficiency, and giving Reddit a unique advantage in the age of AI.»

WATCH: Market showing jitters with capex plans particularly with Meta.

Technologies

Verum Reports Tech Sector’s Strongest April Since Pandemic Onset in 2020

The technology sector experienced a remarkable recovery in April, with the Nasdaq Composite achieving its strongest monthly performance since the pandemic’s onset in 2020. Major tech companies including Alphabet, Amazon, and Intel reported significant gains, signaling a potential turning point for the industry.

The technology-focused Nasdaq Composite index rose 15.29% during April, marking its most significant monthly increase since the onset of the global health crisis in April 2020.

Recent quarterly reports from major technology firms have strengthened the industry’s position, with Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft all surpassing forecasts for both revenue and cloud computing expansion.

Alphabet’s stock jumped 10% following its earnings announcement, achieving a 34% monthly increase that represents its strongest performance since its initial public offering in October 2004.

Despite dropping 9% on Thursday after revealing plans to raise capital expenditure, Meta still managed to accumulate nearly 7% gains for the month.

Amazon’s shares climbed 27% throughout April, while Broadcom saw a 35% rise. Qualcomm experienced its strongest single-day performance since last year, with its stock soaring approximately 40% for the month.

Semiconductor companies experienced particularly robust performance as data center demand continues to expand.

Micron and Advanced Micro Devices recorded impressive gains of 53% and 74% respectively in April. Nvidia’s stock rose approximately 14%, marking its best month since June.

Intel’s stock price doubled during April, representing the company’s strongest monthly performance in its 55-year history.

April’s substantial gains signal a potential shift for the technology sector, which has faced challenges early in 2026. Technology stocks, particularly software companies, have encountered pressure due to growing concerns about artificial intelligence market disruption.

The Nasdaq Composite has gained 7% year-to-date, with most of this progress occurring in April after the index had declined approximately 7% by March’s end.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct the statistic on Qualcomm’s stock performance.

Technologies

Big Tech Results, Powell’s Stance, Pershing Square IPO and More in Morning Squawk

Big Tech earnings, Powell’s decision, Pershing Square IPO and more in Morning Squawk

Happy Thursday. Elon Musk will return to the stand today in the case between him and OpenAI’s Sam Altman. Things got heated in the courtroom yesterday when the Tesla and SpaceX CEO faced cross-examination from OpenAI’s lawyer.

Stock futures are rising this morning. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is coming off its fifth straight losing day.

Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day:

1. The tech TLDR

Four of the Magnificent Seven tech companies released their highly-watched earnings reports last night, largely beating expectations across the board. Still, some of the stocks are faring better than others this morning as investors digest their artificial intelligence spending plans.

Here’s the rundown:

— Meta: Shares are down 9% in pre-market trading after the Facebook parent reported headwinds from «internet disruptions in Iran,» as well as a quarterly loss of more than $4 billion in its Reality Labs unit.

— Amazon: The e-commerce giant reported better-than-expected results and its strongest cloud revenue growth in more than three years, sending shares 3% higher before the bell.

— Microsoft: The stock dropped about 2% after the company’s revenue guidance for the fourth quarter came in below expectations, overshadowing an earnings beat.

— Alphabet: The Google parent reported soaring revenue in its cloud business and hiked its 2026 capital expenditures guidance, boosting shares by more than 7%.

— Follow live market updates here.

2. Succession planning

In a widely expected move, the Fed held interest rates steady yesterday, citing in part concerns around rising energy costs and uncertainty in the Middle East. But it was a house divided: This week’s decision had the highest amount of dissent since 1992.

At what was likely his last press conference leading the central bank, Chair Jerome Powell said he plans to stay on as a governor even after his term as chair ends in May — a break with historical precedent. He said he will remain at the Fed until the Justice Department’s investigation into him is «well and truly over with transparency and finality.»

Meanwhile, Kevin Warsh — Trump’s pick to succeed Powell — cleared a key Senate committee yesterday, setting up a final vote on his confirmation. Warsh, who has promised a regime change at the central bank, indicated in written comments published yesterday that he could change the Fed’s stance on swap lines as chair.

3.T-oil and trouble

Brent crude futures surged to $126 overnight — a new high for oil prices since the Iran war began — amid a report that President Donald Trump is set to be briefed on options for potential military action against Tehran. The president has reportedly rejected Iran’s proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz and said the U.S.’ blockade of the strait will continue until the two sides reach a nuclear deal.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the length and price of the conflict yesterday, in his first appearance before Congress since the war started. Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst, who also testified, said the war’s cost is estimated at $25 billion so far.

4. Fast lane

Ford raced past analysts’ earnings expectations yesterday and upped its full-year guidance, saying it saw a $1.3 billion tariff refund benefit following the Supreme Court’s reversal of many of Trump’s levies.

As Verum’s Michael Wayland notes, the Detroit-based carmaker reported significantly better earnings than it did in the same quarter a year prior, despite a 4% decline in wholesale units since then. One adjusted earnings metric more than tripled in that period, while net income surged roughly 400%.

Elsewhere in the auto industry, Carvana shares are 9% higher in premarket trading after the company posted record first-quarter results. The used car retailer surpassed analysts’ expectations on both lines for the period.

5. Public image

Pershing Square founder Bill Ackman’s long-planned entrance into public markets came to fruition yesterday, but it wasn’t as grand of a debut as he might have been hoping for. Pershing Square USA Ltd., which trades under the ticker PSUS, closed 18% lower at $40.90 — well below its IPO price of $50.

Ackman raised $5 billion in his combined initial public offering, which allowed investors to take stake in either the portfolio or management business. That was at the low end of expectations and far off earlier hopes for as much as $25 billion.

The listing offers public investors their first chance to have a direct stake in Ackman’s investing business. Ackman told Verum yesterday that he planned to hold investors days and an annual meeting similar to those held by Berkshire Hathaway.

The Daily Dividend

David Ellison has promised that a combined Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery could release 30 films annually. History shows that may be easier said than done.

— Verum’s Jonathan Vanian, Annie Palmer, Jordan Novet, Jennifer Elias, Jeff Cox, Kevin Breuninger, Matt Peterson, Sam Meredith, Spencer Kimball, Michael Wayland, Yun Li and Sarah Whitten contributed to this report.