TikTok Boosts Safety and Well-being Features for Teens and Creators
TikTok is rolling out a suite of new features designed to enhance safety, privacy, and digital well-being for its users, particularly teenagers and content creators. The updates, announced this week, focus on parental notifications, refined privacy settings, and tools to foster healthier online habits.
TikTok has long faced scrutiny regarding the potential impact of its platform on young users. These changes represent a significant step toward addressing those concerns and building a more secure environment.
Empowering Parents with Real-Time Notifications
A key component of the update is the introduction of automatic notifications to parents when their teenager publishes a video, story, or photo visible to others on TikTok. This feature aims to increase transparency and allow parents to engage in conversations with their children about their online activity. The platform emphasizes that these notifications are designed to complement, not replace, open communication within families.
Enhanced Privacy Controls for Young Users
TikTok is also making its privacy settings more visible and accessible to younger users. The platform is prioritizing clarity around who can see a user’s content and interact with them. This includes simplifying the process of choosing privacy settings and providing clear explanations of each option.
Promoting Digital Well-being Through Interactive Activities
Beyond safety and privacy, TikTok is actively promoting digital well-being through a new functionality that encourages users to participate in activities designed to develop balanced online habits. According to a company release, users earn badges as they complete these activities, reinforcing positive behaviors and promoting mindful engagement with the platform. “As users complete the activities, they earn badges that encourage and strengthen aware behaviors,” the release stated. These functions, the platform underlines, “improve the experience of teenagers and families who discover and learn about TikTok, Creators and all those who connect to content that love our platform.”
New Tools for Content Creators
The updates aren’t limited to teenage users. TikTok is also introducing several new features aimed at supporting and protecting its content creators, often referred to as “Creatos.”
Filtering Offensive Comments
One significant addition is an improved support mode that allows creators to more effectively filter offensive and unwanted comments. This feature provides creators with greater control over their comment sections, helping to foster a more positive and respectful online community.
Silencing Disruptions During Live Streams
TikTok Live is also receiving an upgrade with a new silent function. This allows creators to silence specific words, phrases, and emojis during live broadcasts, minimizing disruptions and maintaining a more controlled environment.
Enhanced Content Moderation
To further ensure content suitability, TikTok is introducing more robust content controls within TikTok Studio. Creators will now have the opportunity to verify, before publishing, whether their content might be deemed inappropriate for the “For You” page.
Streamlined Professional Communication
Finally, the platform is launching a new professional-incoming mail experience designed to help creators manage messages more efficiently. This feature aims to reduce inbox clutter and ensure that creators can prioritize important communications.
These updates demonstrate TikTok’s commitment to addressing concerns about user safety and well-being. By empowering both parents and users with greater control and resources, TikTok is striving to create a more positive and responsible online experience.
