Yes, TikTok Asks For Your Birthday — For A Good Reason

When you check your email, phone, and social accounts on your birthday, you probably have more messages waiting than usual.

Sure, there may be birthday wishes from friends and family, but you’re also likely to receive greetings on your “special day” sent by everyone from your doctor and insurance agent to your car dealership and pest control company.

You have to enter your birthdate when you sign up for a TikTok account, too, but don’t worry; they don’t want it so they can add to the deluge of useless corporate birthday emails and messages you get every year.

There’s a legitimate reason why TikTok wants to know when you were born.

Why Is TikTok Asking for My Birthday?

In many ways, social apps can be like the Wild Wild West.

Trustworthy social media platforms enforce rigorous restrictions on the types of videos and features that users can access, and TikTok is no different. First and foremost, younger users are prohibited from viewing what the app deems to be “adult” content. And the only way the system’s algorithms can enforce that standard is by knowing how old each TikTok user is.

There are three more reasons why the platform wants to know users’ birthdates.

First, if an account is compromised or the owner loses their credentials, birthdate is one method used to verify whether the person asking for access is entitled to it. Second, the TikTok algorithms determine which videos and ads appear on someone’s For You page (FYP), and until they gather enough information on user preferences they display “age-appropriate” content.

The final reason is an “internal” one. TikTok collects user data to analyze demographic groups’ behaviors and preferences and adjust the platform’s operations, offerings, and marketing efforts. You might not want your data included — but unfortunately, you have no choice.

Let’s get back to the effects your birthdate can have on your user experience, digging deeper into the restrictions you could run into if your birthdate tells the app that you’re an underaged user.

TikTok and Age Restrictions

You have to be at least 13 years old to open a TikTok account. Preteens are limited to a special “Under 13” experience with curated, suitable content, limited features, and additional protections for their privacy.

Those who are 13 or older can sign up for TikTok, but they face significant restrictions until they turn 16.

• Their account is set to “private.” Only their approved followers can see their TikTok content and interact with it.
• Their accounts default to a setting preventing them from being suggested to other users, and they won’t be “suggested” to adults even if the default is overridden.
• Their account is “restricted,” meaning they can’t see “adult” content.
• They have a limit of one hour of screen time per day.
• They can’t host TikTok Live sessions, buy or give virtual gifts, or use the TikTok shop.
• They can’t download videos, create Stitches or Duets, or send and receive DMs.
• They can’t receive push notifications after 9 pm local time.

Once the users turn 16, or if they sign up between the ages of 16 and 18, they’re able to change most of their default settings or access most of the features we’ve just listed. However, they still won’t be able to see “adult” TikTok posts, will have limits on their screen time (which can be overridden by their parents’ passcode), and can’t accept gifts in any Live stream they host.

Clearly, a user’s age has a huge impact on their TikTok experience. And once it’s been submitted during account creation, it’s extremely difficult to change.

What If I Entered the Wrong Birthdate When I Signed Up?

Your birthdate on file with TikTok can’t be changed in your account settings. That makes sense, of course; once a teen realizes the restrictions on their TikTok presence, they could simply change their settings and — presto! — have an “adult” account.

We all make mistakes, though. It’s possible that you accidentally entered the wrong birthdate when you first joined TikTok, and want to have it corrected. Get prepared; you’re in for a wait.

The only way to have your birthday changed in TikTok’s records is to contact support. Go to your TikTok profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines at the top right of the screen), choose “Settings and privacy” from the popup window, scroll to the bottom of the next screen, and tap “Report a problem.”

Now navigate to “Account and profile” > “Editing profile” > “Other” > “Need more help.” You’re finally where you need to be; enter your request to have your birthdate changed and tap “Submit.” When a support rep processes your request, you’ll receive a notification in the app that asks for a copy of your driver’s license or other valid ID that shows your correct birthdate.

You’ll have to wait again, but you should eventually be notified that the date has been changed. If you’ve been dealing with unwarranted age restrictions, they’ll be removed and you’ll have the appropriate permissions for your accurate age.

Moral of the story: don’t screw up your birthdate when you sign up for TikTok!