TikTok has rolled out new security updates aimed at enhancing parental control over teens’ online activities. These updates, which include improved Family Pairing features, a wind-down mode, and expanded educational content, reflect the platform’s commitment to promoting safer and healthier digital habits for young users.
Enhanced Family Pairing: Tailored Digital Control for Parents
The Family Pairing feature, first introduced five years ago, has undergone significant upgrades to give parents greater control over their teens’ app usage. The latest addition, Time Away, allows caregivers to schedule app-free periods during family time, school hours, or bedtime.
Adam Presser, TikTok’s Head of Operations & Trust and Safety, emphasized the flexibility of the feature, stating:
“No teen or family is the same. Whether it’s during family time, school, at night, or a weekend away, caregivers can use our new Time Away feature to decide when it’s best for their teens to take a break.”
Parents can now monitor:
- Who their teens follow and who follows them.
- Accounts their teens have blocked.
- Notifications when their teens report inappropriate content, fostering transparency and encouraging discussions on online safety.
Wind-Down Mode: Encouraging Healthier Habits for Teens
TikTok has introduced a wind-down mode specifically for users under 16. If teens use the app after 10 PM, their For You feed will be interrupted with a full-screen takeover featuring calming music, urging them to log off.
Should they ignore this nudge, a second, harder-to-dismiss prompt appears.
In addition, TikTok is testing meditation exercises within this feature to help improve sleep quality. To further promote healthy habits, push notifications are disabled at night for teens.
These updates are rooted in behavioral change principles, using positive nudges to encourage long-term digital well-being.
Educational Content Expansion: Learning Meets Entertainment
TikTok’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) feed has seen widespread adoption, now available in over 100 countries. This educational feed engages millions of teens weekly with valuable content.
Parents using the Family Pairing feature can re-enable the STEM feed if their teens choose to disable it, ensuring access to enriching educational resources.
Stronger Age Assurance Measures
To uphold its age requirements, TikTok employs advanced machine learning to identify and block users under 13. The platform is also partnering with organizations like Telefónica to explore age verification via mobile providers, strengthening its efforts to safeguard young users.
Empowering Safer Digital Engagement
TikTok’s latest updates signify a proactive approach to balancing entertainment and safety for teens. By equipping parents with robust tools and fostering healthier habits, the platform sets a new benchmark for digital well-being.
