What are direct messages?
What is changing?
I am 16 or 17 years old, what is changing for me?
I am 18 years old or older, what is changing for me?
When are my settings changing?
Why are my settings changing?
What protections are in place?
What are direct messages?
Direct messaging helps you connect with your friends and community on TikTok. Messaging means you can send and receive messages and share TikTok posts directly on TikTok.
What is changing?
Direct message settings on TikTok will be changing within the next few weeks. We will send you a notification when your new settings are ready to use.
I am 16 or 17 years old, what is changing for me?
Your new settings will include the following permissions:
• Friends: These are users who you follow and who follow you back.
• Potential connections: These are users who have mutual connections with you, are a follower, or someone you follow.
• Others: These are other users who are between the ages of 16 and 17 on TikTok. If you choose to turn on Friends, then messages from your friends will always be delivered to your inbox. If you choose to turn on Potential Connections and Others, then you’ll receive a message request instead. If you choose to communicate with them, you will have to accept their message request first.
I am 18 years old or older, what is changing for me?
Your new settings will include the following permissions:
• Potential Connections: These are your followers.
• Others: These are other users on TikTok. Messages from your friends and people you follow will always be delivered to your inbox. People you may know will always be able to send you one message request. You can also choose to allow your Potential Connections and Others to send you a message request. If you choose to communicate with them, you will have to accept their message request first.
When are my settings changing?
These updates will be happening within the next few weeks. When the new settings are here, we will inform you by inbox notification . Please check these notifications.
Why are my settings changing?
We understand that there is an adjustment period when new features are launched. To help ease the change, your new settings will be updated based on your current selection . For example, this means that if you currently have “no one” selected, when your new settings arrive, your updated settings will all be defaulted off.
What protections are in place?
We have strengthened our safety protections. When new settings have launched, users who are Potential Connections or Others can only send you one message request. You have the choice to accept their message or ignore it.
If you are a teen, users who are 18 years of age or older who you do not follow will be blocked from sending you a message request even if you have the Potential Connections or Others setting set to “Requests”.
You will still be able to report accounts and content that violates our Community Guidelines and block accounts.
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