“DNI” On A TikTok Post Usually Means The Video Is NSFW

Those who don’t spend a lot of time on TikTok often get annoyed by all of the abbreviations, slang, and acronyms that are commonly used on the social media platform. But just as with the “alphabet soup” words that emerged in the early days of the Internet, many unfamiliar TikTok terms quickly become understandable over time.

It didn’t take long before LOL and BRB were added to all mainstream dictionaries — and even the more recent “NSFW” used in this article’s title (“not safe for work”) originated on social apps but is now recognized by both the prestigious Oxford and Merriam-Webster dictionaries.

That brings us to “DNI.” Those who follow politics or are regular viewers of spy thrillers know the acronym can stand for “Director of National Intelligence.” That’s not what it stands for in TikTok content, though.

What Does DNI Usually Mean on TikTok?

The acronym means “Do Not Interact,” and the instruction is seen most often in the caption of a TikTok video.

In the majority of cases, the term appears as “Minors DNI” and is used to indicate that the post’s content is adult-oriented (hence, NSFW). It’s theoretically an instruction to TikTok users under the age of 18 not to watch the video or engage with it in any way.

Of course, we all know the origin of the term “forbidden fruit,” so it’s unlikely that younger surfers would quickly scroll past a “Minors DNI” label without taking a peek. Many content creators using the phrase are really trying to attract attention to their post, or cover their behinds if other users were thinking about reporting the content as offensive or inappropriate.

Other Uses for DNI on TikTok

Specific groups can also be tagged in a “DNI” label; a creator could request that someone with opposing political views not interact with their content, for example. Usage of the acronym has expanded over the years; some people now seriously or jokingly add tags like “DNI Taylor Swift haters!” or “DNI Kardashian fans!” to their popular culture posts.

There’s one more place where “DNI” is seen fairly regularly: in TikTok profile bios. It’s meant to discourage DMs and comments from certain people, but also used as a way to positively self-identify, as in “DNI homophobes” or “DNI body shamers.”

Adding DNI to a post or bio probably won’t stop anyone determined to harass or bully, but if you’re bothered by negative interactions on TikTok, it could be worth a try.