CapCut

What is CapCut?

CapCut is a video editing app from ByteDance, the same company that owns TikTok. The app is used to cut video, add music, text, effects, captions and filters, and export videos to TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and other platforms. CapCut also has a template and community layer where users can view, use, like, comment on and share video templates made by others. Some features require an account, and paid CapCut Pro and Cloud Space services can add more features and cloud storage.

Age rating: 12+ on the App Store, but CapCut’s terms say the service is intended for people aged 13 and older, with parent or guardian consent for users under 18 where required.

Why do kids like it?

• Templates make video easy to create. Kids can start with ready-made formats, trending clips and music instead of building everything from scratch.
• The result looks polished quickly. Cutting, captions, transitions, filters and high-quality export make short videos look finished with only a few taps.
• AI tools feel creative. Features such as background removal, auto captions, text-to-speech and image or video effects make advanced editing available without much experience.
• Templates connect the app to TikTok culture. CapCut is often used for video formats that are shared onward to TikTok, Reels, Shorts and other social platforms.
• Community features give feedback. Likes, comments, followers and use of other people’s templates can make editing feel social, not just practical.

What are the real risks?

• Public templates and comments can create an unknown audience. Content shared as a template or published in the community can be viewed, used, commented on or shared onward by other users.
• AI and effect tools process face, body, audio and text information. CapCut’s privacy policy says the service can analyse images, video and audio for effects, recommendations, moderation, advertising where permitted and service improvement.
• Videos can reveal personal details. Faces, voices, rooms, school clothing, file location data or background details can make a child identifiable when content is exported or shared.
• Paid features and cloud storage can cost money. CapCut Pro, other Premium Services and Cloud Space may be subscriptions or purchases through Apple, Google or CapCut.
• ByteDance collects broad usage and device data. CapCut says it collects account details, content, viewing history, technical information, approximate location and interactions such as comments, likes and followers.

Settings to check

1. Limit in-app purchases: Disable in-app purchases via device settings (iOS: Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions; Android: Google Play → Family). For supervised children, also restrict Google Play in Family Link.
2. Check subscriptions: Review active subscriptions in your device’s subscription settings (iOS: Settings → [your name] → Subscriptions; Android: Google Play → Payments & subscriptions).
3. Restrict permissions: Review CapCut’s access to photos, camera and microphone in your device’s app permission settings.
4. Turn off app tracking where available: Limit ad tracking for CapCut in your device’s privacy settings.
5. Report harmful content: Open the content or template menu and use Report if available.
6. Delete the account if needed: Open Settings in CapCut and use the account-deletion option if you no longer want the account.

How to talk about it

“What do you most like making in CapCut — your own videos, templates, effects or something else?”

“How do you decide which videos or templates are okay to share onward to other apps?”

“What details in a video can make it easy to recognise where someone is or who they are?”

Last reviewed: June 2026