Social Media Safety

The Parent's Guide to TikTok & Roblox Safety (2025 Edition)

By Sarah Jenkins • Updated: October 2025 • 7 Min Read

If you have a child between the ages of 8 and 16, they are likely on TikTok or Roblox. While these apps allow for creativity and socialization, they are also designed to be addictive and, in some cases, can expose children to inappropriate content or dangerous strangers.

You don't need to ban these apps completely. You just need to configure them correctly. Here is how to lock them down.

Part 1: TikTok Safety

The main danger on TikTok is the "For You" algorithm. It can quickly lead children down rabbit holes of dangerous challenges or mature content. The second danger is direct messages from strangers.

Essential Step: Enable "Family Pairing"

TikTok has a feature called Family Pairing. It allows you to link your TikTok account to your child's account. Once linked, you can control their settings from your phone.

How to set it up:

Open TikTok on both phones.
Go to Settings > Family Pairing.
Scan the QR code on your child's screen.
Turn ON: "Restricted Mode" (filters mature content).
Turn OFF: "Direct Messages" (stops strangers from chatting).

Privacy Settings Checklist

Even without Family Pairing, ensure these settings are active on your child's phone:

Private Account: Only people they approve can follow them.
Download Video: OFF. Prevents strangers from saving videos of your child.
Location Services: Never. Ensure TikTok cannot track their GPS location.

Part 2: Roblox Safety

Roblox is a "Metaverse" where users build games. The risk here is different: Roblox is full of unmoderated user-generated content and live chatrooms.

The "Condo" Games Problem

While Roblox tries to block inappropriate content, hackers create "Condo Games"—secret rooms that contain adult content. These games often stay up for hours before being banned.

The Chat Danger: Roblox chat filters are easy to bypass. Predators often ask kids to move the conversation to Discord or Snapchat, where there are no filters.

Essential Step: Account Restrictions

Roblox has a powerful setting called "Account Restrictions." When enabled, your child can only play games that have been curated and verified by Roblox staff. They cannot play user-created games.

How to lock it down:

Log into your child's Roblox account.
Go to Settings > Privacy.
Under "Account Restrictions," toggle the switch to ON.
Crucial: Go to "Parental Controls" and set a 4-digit PIN so your child cannot turn this setting off.

Part 3: The Ultimate Safety Net

Settings are great, but kids are smart. They can create second accounts or find ways around restrictions. This is where Parental Control Software helps.

Modern security suites like Norton Family or McAfee+ allow you to:

See exactly how much time they spend on TikTok vs. Homework apps.
Block the TikTok/Roblox app completely during school hours or bedtime.
Get alerts if they search for dangerous terms like "how to bypass parental controls."

Summary

Technology is not the enemy, but unmonitored access is. By using Family Pairing on TikTok and Account Restrictions on Roblox, you can let your kids have fun without losing your peace of mind.