TikTok Rolls Out Four New Safety Features for Teens

TikTok has introduced four new parental control features to help families manage teens’ digital habits more effectively.

The company announced on March 19 that the updates come in response to community concerns about the impact of TikTok content on young users.

In a press statement, TikTok emphasized that these new safety tools aim to promote a healthier online experience for teenagers.

While the ‘Family Pairing’ feature was first introduced five years ago, the platform has continuously improved it to better meet the needs of parents and teens.

New Features for Enhanced Parental Control

One of the latest additions is the ‘Time Away Scheduling’ feature, which allows parents to set specific screen-free periods for their teens.

This means parents can restrict access to TikTok during important times such as school hours, bedtime, or family activities. By doing so, the feature helps teens develop a better balance between online and offline life.

The second update, called ‘Expanded Family Visibility,’ gives parents more insight into their teen’s interactions on TikTok.

Through this feature, parents can see who their child follows and who follows them. Additionally, they have the ability to block accounts, encouraging open discussions about online friendships and potential risks.

Another major improvement is the ‘Proactive Reporting Alerts to Parents’ feature. This tool empowers teens to report videos that they believe might violate TikTok’s community guidelines.

What makes this feature unique is that teens have the option to notify a trusted adult about their report, even if the ‘Family Pairing’ setting isn’t activated.

The goal is to foster open communication between teenagers and their guardians regarding their experiences on the platform.

The fourth and final addition is the ‘Wind-Down Feature,’ which is designed to help teens log off at night.

If users under 16 years old are still active on TikTok after 10 PM, they will receive a full-screen reminder with calming music, gently encouraging them to take a break.

If they continue using the app, they will receive a second, more persistent prompt that is harder to dismiss, reinforcing the importance of healthy screen time limits.

Strengthening Digital Safety for Families

With these new updates, TikTok’s ‘Family Pairing’ feature now includes more than 15 customizable safety, privacy, and well-being tools that parents can use to shape their teen’s experience on the platform.

Adam Presser, TikTok’s Head of Operations & Trust and Safety, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to online safety, stating:

“At TikTok, safety is at the core of everything we do. These new updates are part of our ongoing commitment to empowering families with the tools they need to foster healthy digital habits.”

He further highlighted that by enhancing Family Pairing, strengthening partnerships within the industry, and rolling out innovative well-being features, TikTok is ensuring that young users can explore, create, and interact in a safe and positive online environment.

Kenya’s Role in the #SaferTogether Campaign

The development of these features was largely influenced by the #SaferTogether campaign in Kenya.

Through this initiative, TikTok engaged over 390,000 students, 6,504 parents, and 5,307 teachers across the country to better understand the concerns surrounding social media usage among young people.

By implementing these new safety tools, TikTok aims to create a more secure space for teens while giving parents greater control over their child’s digital experience.

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