In today’s digital world, online safety on social media platforms is increasingly important.
To ensure user safety, TikTok has collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) and designed several in-app features to create a safer online environment.
Here’s a look at these features:
Mental health support
TikTok has a dedicated page to help users struggling with mental health.
If someone searches for terms related to mental distress or suicidal thoughts, TikTok instantly detects these keywords, displaying a supportive message, “You Are Not Alone,” and provides local helpline numbers for assistance.
Age limits and content restrictions
To enhance online safety, TikTok requires users to be over 13.
For those under 18, TikTok ensures age-appropriate content through “Content Restriction” filters.
Limited screen time
This tool helps users avoid excessive screen time by offering weekly usage updates and notifications that keep them informed of their digital habits.
Screen time dashboard
For users wanting control over their online activity, TikTok provides a screen time dashboard that details time spent on the app, helping users mitigate negative mental impacts of prolonged use.
Screen time breaks
TikTok’s screen time break feature reminds users to take breaks after long usage sessions, reducing mental fatigue from extended digital engagement.
Screen time for younger users
If users aged 13-17 spend over 100 minutes on the app in a day, they receive a message encouraging them to limit their screen time.
Additional information can be found in TikTok’s “Teen Safety Center” and “Guardians’ Guide.
Family pairing
With family pairing, parents can link their accounts to their children’s accounts, allowing them to set screen time limits, control content, and adjust privacy settings to ensure a safe online experience.
TikTok Safety Center and Well-Being Guide
To promote responsible usage, TikTok’s Safety Center offers various Well-Being Guides, providing advice on developing healthy digital habits and supporting others in their mental health challenges.
Sleep reminder
The sleep reminder feature encourages better sleep habits by allowing users to mute notifications at a set time.
For users aged 13-17, notifications are automatically muted after a certain hour to prevent sleep disruption.
Comment filtering
TikTok’s comment filtering feature lets users control their comment sections, allowing them to decide who can comment.
Additionally, users can report or filter out comments that are spammy, inappropriate, or violate community guidelines.
