TikTok: Under 16s can no longer use direct messaging

TikTok is making a big change to the way younger people can use the app.

It's going to introduce new restrictions to control who can use the direct messaging feature.

Soon, only users aged 16 or over will be able to send and receive direct messages.

It follows on from changes made by the company last year that tightened up who people could message.

TikTok was punished last year for how it protected children's data, with the US government fining them several million dollars for not doing enough to keep information safe.

TikTok says it is working to make its app safe for everyone to use.

They already say people have to be 13-years-old to sign up to the app, and last year added the family safety mode. That allowed an adult to control how long someone could spend on TikTok, and what content they could see.

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TikTok also gave adults the chance to control who younger users could message, allowed direct message only with people who you're friends with, and they also don't allow videos or images to be shared via message either.

NSPCC child safety online policy head Andy Burrows said it was "a bold move by TikTok," but added that social media companies can still do more.

"It's time tech firms did more to identify which of their users are children and make sure they are given the safest accounts by default."

TikTok say that anyone who might be affected by this change will receive an in-app notification starting today.

And on April 30 existing and new users who don't meet the age requirement to use direct messaging won't be able to do it anymore.

It's always a good idea to make sure a parent, teacher or guardian knows when you're using apps or the internet.

That way, if you see or are sent anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or upset while you're online, you can talk to them about it.