TikTok has introduced a series of new features designed to enhance the protection of teenagers on the platform. The latest updates include expanded parental controls, bedtime reminders, and improved age verification methods. These measures aim to create a safer digital environment for young users while promoting responsible screen time habits.
Expanded Parental Controls
One of the most significant changes is the ability for parents to manage their teens’ TikTok usage more effectively. Parents can now set specific times when their children cannot access the app, such as during school hours, family gatherings, or bedtime. Additionally, they have the option to establish a recurring schedule that automatically restricts access at designated times.
If a teen wants to extend their screen time, they can send a request, but the final decision rests with the parent, who can either approve or deny it. This feature allows parents to maintain oversight while giving teens some flexibility within set boundaries.
Another important update is the ability for parents to view their child’s follower list. They can now see who their child follows, who follows them, and which accounts have been blocked. This added visibility helps parents ensure that their children are engaging with appropriate content and users.
Encouraging Healthy Digital Habits
To promote healthier screen time habits, TikTok is introducing a feature aimed at reducing smartphone use before bedtime. For users under 16 who access TikTok after 10 p.m., a screen saver with soothing music will appear, encouraging them to take a break and rest. While the first reminder can be dismissed, a second, more persistent notification will follow, making it harder to ignore.
In the coming weeks, TikTok plans to expand this feature by testing meditation exercises integrated into these reminders. The goal is to help young users develop better nighttime routines and reduce excessive screen exposure, which can impact sleep quality.
Strengthening Age Restrictions
TikTok continues to improve its age verification technology to prevent children under 13 from using the app. The company is utilizing machine learning to enhance detection methods and is working with telecommunications provider Telefonica to explore using age data from mobile operators for verification purposes.
Additionally, TikTok is reinstating its STEM educational feed, which focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This feature will be made available again for teens who previously disabled it, offering them an opportunity to engage with educational content in a more structured way.
Ongoing Safety Efforts
Over the past few years, TikTok has been rolling out various safety features to address concerns about its impact on young users. For example, the app previously implemented age restrictions on certain beauty filters to minimize their potential negative effects on teenagers’ mental health.
These latest updates come amid an uncertain future for TikTok in the United States, adds NIX Solutions. The platform has been under regulatory scrutiny, including a 75-day ban imposed by the Trump administration. Yet, we’ll keep you updated as more developments emerge regarding TikTok’s future and additional safety enhancements.