China’s social media giant TikTok is once again under fire after a new investigation revealed that its algorithm actively pushes pornographic and sexual content to children as young as 13. The findings come from Global Witness, a nonprofit research group that tested the app using fake teenage accounts.
The organization created “clean” TikTok accounts with no prior search history, posing as 13-year-old users. Even with TikTok’s so-called “Restricted Mode” enabled—a parental control setting advertised to block mature material—the fake accounts were soon flooded with sexually explicit recommendations.
TikTok claims that Restricted Mode prevents exposure to “mature or complex themes,” including “sexually suggestive content.” But Global Witness’s tests told a different story. Within minutes of use, the accounts were fed sexualized search suggestions like “very very rude skimpy outfits” and “woman kissing her man while washing his…,” leading directly to pornographic videos and nudity.
In one test, researchers discovered that a 13-year-old user could access hardcore pornographic clips “just two clicks away” from the app’s home screen. Global Witness reported that the explicit content was often disguised within seemingly harmless videos, allowing it to slip past TikTok’s content filters.
“Our 13-year-old test accounts were being pushed toward adult sexual material despite using TikTok’s protective settings,” the group said. “This raises serious questions about TikTok’s moderation systems and its commitment to child safety.”
The organization conducted its first round of testing in early 2025 and reported similar findings to TikTok at the time. The company responded by removing several search terms and pieces of content. However, Global Witness’s follow-up investigation months later found the same disturbing patterns.
TikTok told Global Witness that it had “taken action on more than 90 pieces of content and removed some search suggestions,” but the company admitted it is still “reviewing its youth safety strategies.”
The issue appears widespread. Global Witness noted that TikTok users have been publicly complaining about receiving sexualized recommendations, posting screenshots and comments such as “how tf do you get rid of it” and “same, what’s wrong with this app.”
The revelations add to growing scrutiny over TikTok’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party and its influence over Western users. Lawmakers in both the U.S. and Australia have called for bans or restrictions on the platform, citing data privacy risks and the app’s harmful impact on minors.
With TikTok’s algorithm once again caught steering children toward explicit material, pressure is mounting for Western governments to investigate how the platform continues to endanger young users while claiming to promote “digital safety.”
