TikTok has announced new digital wellbeing tools that encourage users to take a break from the app after long sessions and help them control the overall amount of time they spend on the social media platform.
The video sharing platform is very popular among teens. The company said that the two new tools are placed alongside the existing daily screen time limit feature.
This feature allows users to set a daily time frame for using the app. It helps build a positive relationship with digital devices based on the user being in control.
The new screen time limit prompts users to take a break after a certain amount of uninterrupted screen time, a number that the user can also set themselves.
Meanwhile, the new Screen Time dashboard displays TikTok user data about the amount of time they spend in the app, how often they open it, and a breakdown of their day and night usage, with the option to subscribe to weekly notifications to review available numbers as well.
“We believe our digital experiences should bring us joy, entertainment, connection and enrichment,” the platform said. A positive relationship with digital devices and applications is not limited to measuring screen time. It's also about feeling in control of how we use technology. And making sure that the time we spend contributes positively to our sense of well-being.
"As a result, we are taking a number of steps to help support the digital well-being of our community as we explore across the platform."
The platform also published a new guide on its Security Hub that offers tips on having good digital habits and setting limits.
Tik Tok helps you stop endless scrolling
Younger members of the platform community start receiving automatic prompts about digital wellbeing. The platform said that those between the ages of 13 and 17 are being alerted about the screen time limit tool if they use the platform for more than 100 minutes in a day.
The changes come in part after a study the company conducted with online safety group Internet Matters that found that there is a positive effect on teens' health when they feel in control of their online behavior and habits.
The study showed that teens welcome the introduction of built-in features and settings that encourage them to think critically about the time they spend. It also encourages them to use the settings to effectively manage the time they spend on the app.
It is important for teens to feel in control of their experiences and to be helped to make informed choices, the study said. We look forward to developing the platform for more features that put teenage wellbeing at the heart of its design choices.
The new TikTok features follow the addition of similar tools to other apps such as Instagram and Netflix that are designed to help users manage their usage time. Apple and Google also allow setting app limits across iOS and Android.