TikTok has announced that it has started rolling out more parental control features following community feedback on the impact of TikTok content consumption on teens.
In a press statement dated March 19, TikTok noted that the new safety and well-being tools are designed to support families in fostering healthier digital habits for teens.
Although the 'Family Pairing' feature was introduced five years ago, TikTok has repeatedly updated it as needed.
One of the new updates is the 'Time Away scheduling' which will allow parents to set screen-free periods when their teens are not allowed to use TikTok. These periods can include during school hours, bedtime, or family time.
'Expanded Family Visibility' is the second feature which enables parents to monitor who their teen follows and who follows them. Parents can also block accounts to facilitate open discussions about online interactions.
Another new feature is 'Proactive Reporting Alerts to Parents' which will allow teens to report a video for potentially violating TikTok’s rules.
This feature will allow them to choose to notify a trusted adult, even if 'Family Pairing' isn’t enabled. It is designed to encourage ongoing conversations between teens and their families about their TikTok experience.
A new 'Wind-Down Feature' has also been introduced to encourage teens to log off at night. Using this feature, users under 16 years who are on TikTok after 10 pm will see a full-screen reminder with calming music. If they continue, a second, harder-to-dismiss prompt will follow.
With the addition of these four updates, the 'Parental Pairing' feature boasts more than 15 customisable safety, privacy, and well-being features to tailor their teen’s experience on TikTok.
"At TikTok, safety is at the core of everything we do. These new updates are part of our ongoing commitment to empowering families with the tools they need to foster healthy digital habits," said Adam Presser, Head of Operations & Trust and Safety at TikTok.
"By enhancing Family Pairing, strengthening our industry partnerships, and introducing innovative well-being features, we’re ensuring that young users can explore, create, and connect in a safe and positive online environment."
The new features were made possible by a #SaferTogether TikTok campaign in Kenya that engaged over 390,000 students, 6,504 parents, and 5,307 teachers countrywide.
