Today it doesn’t matter whether you are a millennial or a gen-z. Tiktok is the one thing that does not discriminate but only when it comes to content. The irony of the situation is that you wouldn’t know what you are missing until you try to get out of your comfort zone. Like literally, not even metaphorically. Only if you try to start a live story would you come to know that you have been strictly prohibited from TikTok in doing so. Now the question is why? Keep that why in the sideline of your mind as we walk you through the whole situation. A lot of young adults have faced this issue. Additionally, this isn’t even the first time where an app has restricted under-age users. If you are looking for a way out then we guide you towards that. This post tends to discuss how to change your age on TikTok and much more! Read on to find out.
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Contents
What’s the hype about?
If you do not live under a rock then you would know that TikTok has been making rounds all year round, all around the globe. That too not figuratively but literally. What started as just a music app. turned out to be one of the most-watched and logged in social media platforms. In 2020 when the whole world was frozen inside the comfort of their homes, TikTok was in their bubble.
Being at home, away from your family and sometimes friends was tough on everyone. The comfort of a home did not last much longer especially when all you could do was just binge and sleep. Work from home did not help the distance that was created between friends.
Tiktok trends however helped everyone re-unite. These trends that range from one base to another have been nothing less than a complete congenial form for youngsters and adults alike. Even today, TikTok trends are making rounds on social media as they just keep on increasing. This is more important when you are an influential/blogger on Instagram. Tiktok has helped many to get the attention of their followers. A lot of influencers even end up asking their followers about the trend that they would like them acting on. This in return has contributed a lot to not only the social health of young and adult alike, but it has also give friends and families to have a chance of competing in trends together. Wherein, their different videos can be combined as if they were together when these videos were made. It is one of the many cool features associated with TikTok. That is precisely what the hype around TikTok is about.
Why is age an issue?
If you have been on other platforms like Facebook and Twitter, you would know how strictly the child privacy act is applied there. The reason for this is the fact that children can be exposed to toxic content on social media, unintentionally. This thereafter affects their mental and cognitive levels inversely. The child protection app tends to protect these children not only by stalkers of the dark web that like to manipulate youngsters but also protect their innocence.
Initially, TikTok did not have any age limit associated with it. The app was free to anyone and everyone. That was until 2019 when they were accused of violating the children’s online privacy protection act. As a result of this violation, they had to pay a fine of $5.7 million to the Federal Trade Commission. Following the implementation of fine and settlement, TikTok had set out to delete every account that was registered under the age of 13. The privacy rules were made strict too especially about the age factor.
How old do you have to be on TikTok?
To be on TikTok, you have to be at least 13 or above. Furthermore, TikTok has made strict in-app changes that limit a user. Some of these changes include the fact that if you want to start a live-stream you have to be at least 16 years old with 1,000 followers on your list. If not, then we are afraid you might not be able to hold a live streaming session with your friends. That is truly sad because a live stream is one of the most innovative, fun, and entertaining ways of engaging an audience with ecstatic activities.
Additionally, live streaming has the option for virtual gifts as well. How cool is that? However, sorry to burst your bubble but you have to be 18 years old to receive such gifts. All of these in-app limitations have been applied to comply with the children’s online privacy protection act. This would also mean that parents feel safe about their children being on applications like TikTok. These are some of the steps that have been taken by the application to prevent violation of children’s rights.
Under 16 rules
To be on social media means the urge to flex that talent. Especially when you are in your sweet 16 or under. That temptation is what, we all have been through. For some, it lasts like a phase but for others, it goes on for a while longer. Sometimes their entire life is not bad at all. Being comfortable in one’s oneself is thought provoking and quite cool. However, TikTok after their unfortunate violation of the children’s online privacy protection act has taken things a notch higher. After January 14, 2021, every TikTok user account under the age of 16 has been made private by default. This would mean only an approved follower will be able to see the content.
How to change your age on TikTok?
The thing about being on social media platforms is that: it’s a risky business. Not only when it comes to profile getting leaked and copied by others but also in terms of getting wiped out from the system’s memory. Sometimes it is your fault but other times there is a bug in the app. What follows is extreme level anxiety and depression which is typical in teens who lose their one way of expressing themselves. However, does this applies only to angst-teens being ridden by their cell phone addiction? We believe not. There are many adults too who have decades worth of memory loaded on these social media apps that they just cannot imagine losing.
In a similar turn of events, when TikTok deleted the users who were under the age of 16, they also ended up deleting accounts that were over the benchmark. This was because of a system bug that did not allow people to select their correct date of birth. Their only option was to select 2019 which ended up making them zero years old. What followed was an angry rant against TikTok because of their system bug.
Tiktok does not follow conventional age changing methods like Facebook. You cannot go to your profile and just change your birth date or year. The backlash was severe which resulted in them introducing a lengthy alternative but one that is reliable. You can simply complain to them directly and send in proof of your age by your government ID. So how to edit your age on tiktok? Following are the detailed steps explaining how to change your age on TikTok.
Step 1
Open your TikTok app and tap at Me situated at the lower right corner of your phone screen.
Step 2
You would be able to see three dots in the top-right corner, click them.
Step 3
A menu will open up where you click on “report a problem”
Step 4
Go to Account and Profile
Step 5
Click on the option of editing profile
Step 6
Tap the option labeled “other”
Step 7
Hereon you will be prompted to explain your problem, do that, and send your government-issued ID as proof.
Step 8
Submit your request and viola. Hopefully, they will respond soon and positively. The steps seem a bit lengthy but this is the only answer when you need to know about how to change your age on TikTok.
Is making a new account-an option?
Yes, a lot of people initially spread the false rumor that a new account with the correct age but the same username would mean a full data recovery. That is not the case, however, you can of course opt for a new account. You can put in your correct date of birth there. This does mean that you will be starting from square one. You will need to build your followers again. You can though, choose to download your old TikTok from your previous account and post them here. However, it is best that you do not lie on TikTok about your age because other users can report you. Additionally, you can make an account with a guardian/parent so that you can have fun within limits.
All in all, TikTok is a great way to interact with friends and family members. It has amazing life hacks and trends as well that you can follow along. We hope we cleared your concepts on how to change your age on TikTok. Also, it is always a good thing to use social media apps within a limit. So stay safe and have fun tiktoking.
