TikTok Launches Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign For Online Scams

TikTok is marking Cybersecurity Awareness Month with a new initiative aimed at helping its massive global user base stay safer online. The company has rolled out a series of educational videos and in-app resources designed to teach users how to recognize and avoid digital scams — a growing concern as online fraud continues to surge worldwide.

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, consumers lost a record $16.6 billion to internet scams in 2024, underscoring the need for better awareness and preventative measures. In response, TikTok says it wants to “encourage everyone to #BeCyberSmart,” emphasizing its goal of inspiring “our diverse community to make strong decisions online – whether on our platform or anywhere else.”

The campaign features a collection of 8-bit, retro-style video clips posted on TikTok’s official @TikTokTips account]#. The short, game-inspired videos tackle key aspects of online security – including password safety, phishing awareness, and recognizing fake offers – in a format meant to resonate with younger audiences. TikTok has also published a list of practical security tips and reflective questions to help users assess their own digital habits.

The videos and prompts form part of TikTok’s broader strategy to enhance user protection and education. The company has been ramping up efforts to identify and remove scam-related accounts and advertisements, part of an expanding content moderation and trust-and-safety push. These actions, combined with its educational initiatives, aim to both limit exposure to malicious content and empower users to spot threats independently.

Cybersecurity experts have warned that social media platforms remain major targets for phishing and impersonation scams, particularly as fraudsters exploit trust-based environments to harvest personal data. TikTok’s proactive approach aligns with similar campaigns launched by other tech firms during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, such as Meta’s privacy reminders and Google’s password safety checks.

While TikTok’s gamified approach may seem lighthearted, the message is serious: online scams are evolving fast, and user education remains one of the most effective defenses. By using the platform’s own creative tools to promote safe digital behavior, TikTok hopes to make cybersecurity awareness both accessible and engaging for its global community.