Among TikTok users, many call its rules moderately strict
Core finding
Among Americans who use TikTok, the most common reading of the rules about what people can say or do there is that they are moderately strict: 21% of all adults describe them that way, while 16% say the rules are not strict at all, according to a May 2026 Verasight survey.
An additional 13% call the rules slightly strict, and harsher judgments trail behind: 7% say they are very strict and 6% extremely strict. The remaining 37% of U.S. adults say they do not use the app.
Topline distribution
Among TikTok users, many call its rules moderately strict.
On TikTok, how strict are the rules and social norms about what people can say or do?
n = 504 · May 11, 2026 · MoE ±4.6%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | May 11, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 504 |
| Margin of error | ±4.6% |
| Module | beliefs |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26
On TikTok, how strict are the rules and social norms about what people can say or do?
Cite this question
Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=504 US adults age 18+, +/- 4.6%.