A human rights group claims TikTok recommends pornography and sexualised videos to minors. Researchers created fake child accounts, enabled safety settings, and still received explicit search prompts. These included clips of simulated masturbation and pornographic sex. TikTok says it acted immediately once alerted and insists it prioritises safe, age-appropriate experiences for young users.
Fake child profiles uncover explicit material
In July and August, Global Witness researchers set up four TikTok accounts. They posed as 13-year-olds using false birth dates. The platform did not request additional identification. Investigators enabled TikTok’s “restricted mode”. The company promotes this feature as protection against sexual or mature content. Despite this, the accounts received sexualised search suggestions in the “you may like” section. These led to videos of women flashing underwear, exposing breasts, and simulating masturbation. At the most extreme, explicit pornography appeared hidden in ordinary-looking clips to bypass moderation.
Campaigners raise alarm
Ava Lee from Global Witness described the findings as a “huge shock”. She said TikTok not only fails to protect children but actively recommends harmful content. Global Witness usually investigates how technology impacts democracy, human rights, and climate change. The group first discovered TikTok’s explicit material during unrelated research in April.
TikTok defends safety systems
Researchers reported the findings earlier this year. TikTok said it removed the flagged content and introduced fixes. But when Global Witness repeated the test in late July, sexual videos appeared again. TikTok says it has more than 50 safety tools for teenagers. It claims nine out of ten violating clips are removed before being viewed. After the report, TikTok said it upgraded search functions and removed additional harmful content.
New safety codes increase accountability
On 25 July, the Children’s Codes within the Online Safety Act came into force. Platforms must enforce strict age checks and prevent children from accessing pornography. Algorithms must also block material linked to self-harm, suicide, or eating disorders. Global Witness conducted a second study after the rules began. Ava Lee urged regulators to act, saying children’s online safety must now be enforced.
Users question sexualised feeds
During the investigation, researchers monitored user reactions. Some expressed confusion over sexualised search suggestions. One wrote: “can someone explain to me what is up with my search recs pls?” Another asked: “what’s wrong with this app?”
