TikTok Under Fire for Showing Explicit Content to Teens

TikTok faces backlash after reports say its search algorithm exposes teens to explicit content despite strict safety and moderation policies.

TikTok Faces Global Scrutiny After Reports of Adult Content in Teen Searches

Popular short video app TikTok is once again under global scrutiny following a new investigation that claims the platform’s search algorithm exposes teenagers to explicit content. The report, published by the UK-based non-profit organization Global Witness, raises serious concerns about how TikTok handles youth online safety.

Investigation Reveals Disturbing Search Results

According to Global Witness, researchers created seven new TikTok accounts, each registered as a 13-year-old user—the minimum age required to join the platform. These accounts were operated on factory-reset devices to ensure there was no previous search history or browsing data.

Shockingly, even without prior activity, TikTok’s search suggestions began recommending pornographic and adult-themed terms, steering the young accounts toward inappropriate material.

Rising Concerns Amid Global Safety Laws

The revelations come at a time when both the United Kingdom and the United States are strengthening online safety laws to protect minors. In 2023, the UK implemented its Online Safety Act, which requires tech companies to introduce age verification systems and ensure harmful content is not accessible to minors.

Last year, TikTok already faced multiple lawsuits over claims that its platform was harming teenagers’ mental health. These new findings have reignited debates about whether the app is doing enough to protect young users.

TikTok’s Response: Investigation and Action

In response to the report, a TikTok spokesperson stated that the company had immediately launched an internal investigation and taken down any content violating its community guidelines.

“We’ve improved our search suggestion system and continue to remove inappropriate material,” the spokesperson said. TikTok also emphasized that the platform includes over 50 built-in safety features to protect teens from exposure to harmful or adult content.

Algorithmic Exposure Still a Concern

Despite TikTok’s claims, Global Witness reported that in every test account, explicit material appeared after just a few clicks. The organization stated that TikTok’s algorithm doesn’t just display adult content—it actively nudges underage users toward it, creating a potentially dangerous online environment for minors.

TikTok’s Policies and Content Moderation

TikTok’s official Community Guidelines strictly prohibit nudity, sexual activity, or adult services. Still, between January and March 2025, TikTok itself reported that around 30% of all removed content contained “sensitive or adult themes.”

The platform claims to delete over six million underage accounts every month, using advanced AI-based age detection systems and human moderation teams to identify violations.

Legal and Regulatory Reactions

Legal expert Mark Stephens called the Global Witness findings a “clear violation” of the UK’s Online Safety Act. The report puts added pressure on Ofcom, the country’s communications regulator, to enforce stricter compliance from tech giants like TikTok.

TikTok, meanwhile, insists that it is working closely with regulators. The company has rolled out features such as guided meditation content, sleep mode, and nighttime notification limits to improve the online well-being of teenage users.

Global Impact on TikTok’s Reputation

The controversy could have far-reaching implications for TikTok’s global reputation, especially as governments around the world continue to question the app’s data privacy, mental health impact, and youth safety practices.

As scrutiny intensifies, experts say the solution lies not in banning social platforms but in building stronger safeguards, transparent algorithms, and digital education for families.

TikTok’s challenge now is to prove that it can remain a safe and creative platform for all users—especially the youngest ones who make up a huge portion of its audience.