Is TikTok Shop Safe for Kids?

Move over, Amazon  — kids are shopping on TikTok. Why? Because TikTok knows kids spend so much time on their app. While scrolling through their favorite creators, some of whom are even themselves hawking in-demand and trending products, kids can easily buy things in-app via the TikTok Shop. And like Amazon, TikTok Shop merchants often offer free shipping and no-hassle ordering. But is TikTok Shop safe for kids? We’ve got the lowdown on everything parents need to know.

What Is TikTok Shop?

Launched in September 2023, TikTok Shop has become the go-to purchasing destination for people looking for the latest trendy products. One of the reasons it’s become so popular is that you don’t have to leave the app to make your purchases. For young people that heavily use TikTok, you can scroll, stumble across a product, quickly buy it, then get back to scrolling in a matter of seconds without having to so much as open a browser window.

You can navigate directly to the TikTok Shop by tapping the “Shop” tab on the top of the homescreen, where you can scroll through categories, find deals, trending products, and more. 

You can also be exposed to the TikTok shop indirectly without ever tapping on the Shop tab. When you’re scrolling through your For You Page, you’ll frequently come across posts with a “Shop” badge on the caption with links to the promoted product. 

In these cases, you’re essentially watching a commercial. But because it may be from a creator you follow and like, it seems less like a traditional ad you’d find while watching Hulu. If you end up purchasing the product, the creator will earn a commission. 

While this is definitely a little problematic, it feels more like you’re following the advice of a cool older sibling rather than just seeing a Tide commercial with actors. This is why it’s working so well and convincing millions of you people to buy things on TikTok Shop. But the question remains: Is TikTok Shop safe for kids?

The Kinds of Things People Sell

TikTok Shop offers a dizzying array of products, from viral makeup and tech gadgets to novelty items like slime kits and funky pop culture merch. It’s a mix of (sometimes) useful, often quirky, and downright random things, often driven by trends that spread rapidly on the platform.

This variety appeals to younger audiences who love discovering the next big thing. 

Is TikTok Shop Safe for Kids?

Like with many things on the internet — it totally depends. Some kids may never even use TikTok shop, while others can easily get addicted. Here are a few of the dangers parents need to know about.

Invasive consumerism

It's getting harder and harder to distinguish between what’s an ad and what’s content. With other e-commerce sites, there’s no question of people selling to you. With TikTok, and the parasocial relationships that develop between users and their favorite creators, the line gets blurry. Our generation had their favorite shows, of course, but Scooby Doo and company weren’t actively trying to sell us make up and facial misters. 

Scammers

Like every online marketplace, scammers abound on TikTok Shop. You can find knock-offs and counterfeit products, as there’s not always a guarantee of legitimacy with purchases. Kids may not know the red flags for such scams, and because of this they can get roped more easily into them. Here are some common issues buyers run into:

• Sellers never delivering ordered products 
• Sellers convincing buyers to download a new beta version of the TikTok app that steals personal information
• Scammers posing as TikTok employees

Peer pressure and impulsive buying

Viral TikTok trends that move at the speed of lightning create a perfect storm for impulsive buying. Kids may feel pressured to grab the latest trending item to keep up with their friends. When you add in the gamified experience of shopping directly on TikTok — complete with flashy sales and countdown timers — it’s easy for kids to make impulsive purchases without really thinking about the cost or whether they even really want it.

How to Help Your Child Avoid Scams on TikTok Shop

If you decide to allow your child to use TikTok Shop, there are some things you can talk about to make sure they’re making good decisions. 

• Have your child ask for your advice before making purchases.
• Require your kid to heavily research the seller and check reviews.
• Look for a verified checkmark on their page.
• Visit the seller’s actual website if they have one — if they do, there’s a larger chance they’re legit.
• Read reviews of previous purchases by others.
• Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true — they usually are.
• Report suspicious activity or listings to TikTok.

How Bark Can Help

If you’re like many parents, you may just want to block TikTok altogether — and we wouldn’t blame you for that! Our app-blocking tool lets you block TikTok permanently with the tap of a button. 

For those that do want to allow TikTok, we can help with that, as well. You can set screen time schedules and time limits that give your kid healthy boundaries so they don’t scroll for hours upon hours.  And with our monitoring technology, you’ll be alerted to risky behavior in texts and social media activity, helping you stay ahead of potential issues.

We offer a variety of products that help parents protect their kids online, including the Bark app, the Bark Watch, the Bark Phone, and the Bark Home. Check out our products page to find out which one is the best fit for your family.