Introduction to TikTok’s New Feature

It’s 10pm, and parents may wonder where their children are. Chances are, they are in their room scrolling through TikTok. However, with the app’s new feature, parents can rest assured that their children will be encouraged to listen to lo-fi beats and unwind. TikTok has announced that it will be introducing a new feature for users under the age of 16, designed to promote relaxation rather than continuous scrolling.

The New Feature

This feature, which will automatically activate for users identified as being under 16, will display a full-screen "wind down" message, prompting teens to take a deep breath, exhale, and acknowledge that their screen time has been limited for the night. While teens can choose to ignore the notification and continue scrolling, they will receive a second prompt encouraging them to log off. Over time, TikTok plans to add meditation exercises to the prompt.

Effectiveness of the Feature

The question remains whether children will heed the warnings and wind down. According to TikTok, in countries where the feature has been piloted, the majority of teens have chosen to keep the reminder on. Research suggests that mindfulness reminders can have a positive impact, with a 2020 study finding that receiving mindfulness meditations can decrease stress, and a 2021 study discovering that teens who practiced meditation via mobile app experienced reduced rumination, anxiety, and negative thinking.

Limiting Social Media Exposure

Limiting social media exposure is known to have benefits for mental health. However, the fact that this feature is opt-in raises concerns about its effectiveness. Will children heed a message to get off the app, especially if it’s perceived as intrusive or disruptive to their screen time? Perhaps kids simply need permission to stop scrolling. Conversely, one could argue that TikTok is keeping kids engaged with its meditations, potentially opening up opportunities for cross-promotion with other apps.

Updates to Family Pairing Feature

In addition to the wind-down message, TikTok has introduced updates to its Family Pairing feature, providing parents with more control over their children’s accounts. The new Time Away mode allows parents to set a schedule for their child’s access to the app, while also enabling them to view their child’s followers, who they follow, and who they have blocked. This update is likely to be well-received by parents seeking to monitor their child’s online activities.