TikTok announced new parental controls on Tuesday, allowing parents to manage their teens’ screen time. The update follows growing concerns about adolescent mental health.
TikTok Adds New Features
The feature is launching in the EU first, with the US rollout coming soon. Parents can now set daily limits.
Additionally, they can schedule specific time windows for their children to use TikTok. This gives parents more control over screen time.
It follows Instagram, which introduced a similar parental control feature months ago. Unlike before, teens cannot bypass “Time Away” block.
To disable the restriction, an adult must deactivate it from their own account. This ensures stronger parental supervision.
Expanded Parental Supervision
In the coming weeks, TikTok will introduce more parental oversight tools. These updates will provide better visibility into teen interactions.
Parents will soon be able to see:
– Who their teens are following
– Who follows them back
– Which accounts they have blocked
Additionally, users under 16 will receive a “Meditation” prompt after 10 PM. The feature suggests relaxation exercises with calming music.
However, teens can turn this feature off if they choose. This offers flexibility while promoting healthier screen habits.
Growing Scrutiny Over TikTok Impact
TikTok faces increasing regulatory pressure in Europe and beyond. Governments are closely examining its effects on teenagers.
France’s parliament is preparing to launch an inquiry into TikTok’s impact on children. Lawmakers want to understand its psychological effects.
Meanwhile, Albania is considering a one-year ban on TikTok. This follows a violent teen conflict linked to an online dispute.
Authorities worry that social media fuels conflicts among young users. Many countries are now re-evaluating regulations.
TikTok Content Moderation Efforts
Speaking in Paris, TikTok representatives highlighted their safety measures. They emphasized the company’s commitment to content moderation.
Currently, the platform employs over 6,000 moderators for European-language content. The platform claims this is more than all competitors combined.
That’s more than all other platforms together,” a spokesperson stated.
Between July and September, it removed over 24 million accounts. These accounts likely belonged to users under 13.
The platform also removes over 95% of inappropriate content within 24 hours. Additionally, 90% of harmful content is deleted before being viewed.
As scrutiny increases, it continues strengthening safety measures. These updates aim to protect young users and address global concerns.
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