TikTok Introduces New Features to Enhance Teen Safety

TikTok, a platform facing numerous civil and federal lawsuits regarding its safety for children, has relied on parents to monitor their teens’ activity through its Family Pairing tool. This tool enables guardians to restrict screen time and block certain content. Now, TikTok is introducing additional features that allow paired adults to view their teen’s connections and control when the app is accessible.

New Features for Enhanced Safety

The first feature, Time Away, enables parents to set specific times when TikTok is available on their teen’s devices. For instance, they can restrict access during weekends or dinner time, rather than just setting a screen time limit. They can also set a recurring schedule for simplicity. Teens can request extra time, but parental approval is required.

Increased Transparency and Control

Parents can now view their teen’s followers, accounts they follow, and blocked accounts. According to TikTok, this feature will enable parents to have ongoing conversations with their teens and help them develop essential digital literacy skills. This is a significant undertaking, as it requires continuous effort and dedication from parents.

Limiting Screen Time

Lastly, TikTok is introducing an unusual feature to limit screen time. For users under 16, the app will be restricted after 10 PM, and calming music will play. Users can dismiss this feature to continue using the app. In the coming weeks, TikTok will test adding meditation exercises to these pop-ups, further enhancing the feature.