TikTok is making it easier for parents to safeguard their children on its video-sharing app.

New features include the ability to change the youngster’s settings remotely to block them from carrying out searches, and to prevent strangers from seeing their posts.

Children can still override these limitations but not without their parents being told.

The function was launched earlier this year, but until now was limited to placing limits on the types of content the child sees, restricting their use of private chats, and limiting how much time they spend in the app.

“Today’s announcement is just the latest in the steps TikTok has taken this year to keep younger users safe on the platform, including restricting direct messaging to over-16s and prompting all users under-18 to set their account to private when they join,” a press release said.

TikTok has retained an option that allows children to “unpair” their device from the parent’s. Doing so sends the adult an alert and gives them 48 hours to restore the link before the child can turn off the restrictions.

Child safety experts support this decision as it allows a balance to be struck between safety and surveillance. The theory is that if teenagers view safety measures as being excessive, it might make them less likely to ask for help if they get into trouble.

One leading charity, however, said the government still needed to ensure TikTok and other apps were held to account if other safety issues arise.