In response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on youth, TikTok announced plans to restrict users under 18 from using certain appearance-altering effects, particularly beauty filters.

While beauty filters will be limited, fun filters like those adding bunny ears will still be available to minors.

This initiative is part of TikTok's broader commitment to user safety, especially as the platform has over 175 million monthly active users in Europe.

However, the effectiveness of TikTok's age verification mechanisms has come under scrutiny, raising doubts about how well these measures will be enforced.

These changes coincide with impending regulations on underage social media use in the UK, which will require stricter age checks under the Online Safety Act.

Andy Burrows, CEO of the Molly Rose Foundation, noted that these changes are largely a response to regulatory pressures and called for more ambitious regulations on social media platforms.

The announcement regarding these changes was made during TikTok's European Safety Forum held in Dublin, emphasizing the platform's dedication to user well-being.

These age-related restrictions are set to be implemented globally in the coming weeks, reflecting concerns about the mental health of minors using the platform.

Concerns persist regarding the reliability of age reporting by users, as many may falsify their age when creating accounts.

This move aligns with a broader industry trend towards enhancing child safety online, with platforms like Instagram and Roblox also increasing parental controls.

The NSPCC welcomed TikTok's new age protection measures but emphasized that more comprehensive actions are necessary across all social media platforms.

The U.S. surgeon general has also highlighted the need for social media regulation to protect youth health, drawing parallels to past tobacco regulations.