TikTok’s Latest Features Allow Parents To Check On Their Children’s Usage
TikTok new parenting features give parents additional tools to set boundaries and customization limit for family use
With more people using social media, it has become a growing concern among parents on what their children scroll or watch online. TikTok, which has been the most popular social media app among today’s children, has announced it has launched four features that will help parents and their children ensure proper use.
The features are designed from various feedbacks since the launch of the family features to balance the use of social media among today’s kids.
TikTok’s latest features
Time Feature
We may not know it but parents or even kids tend to spend so much time on social media, that they forget other activities. The Time Feature was added to remind social media users to take a break. Parents or guardians can set the time for the break. Teens or kids can appeal for extra time but at the end, it’s the parents decision on how long they should use the app.
Visibility of the people followed online
Another feature introduced in the family features is that parents can see the people their kids follow on TikTok and those who follow them back in return. It also shows the accounts that their kids blocked for various reasons.
This feature is an opportunity for parents to keep discussing the use of social media and digital literacy. It also gives them insights to the issues that their children face.
Report Alerts
This feature may be the best advantage for parents. It allows them to see the videos that their kids watch that may be fake or of utmost concern that TikTok should look into to take it down, most especially with the proliferation of deep fakes and fake news. With that in mind, it will allow parents to do the following:
Activate Tiktok’s feed dedicated to STEM – this is now available in 100 countries and kids can enjoy learning from these curated videos on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
Activation of Screen time – it will give parents the ability to minimize the screen time depending on what they’ve agreed on. Once the time limit is up, kids can only access for more time through a passcode. Even without the customization of settings, those under 18 years old can only have 60 minutes of screentime by default.
Activating to normal settings – parents can switch their teen’s accounts to default settings for privacy if the account was made public.
Wind down feature
For those under 16 years old, TikTok has introduced a wind down feature after 10 pm. What happens is that TikTok will interrupt with a “ full-screen takeover with calming music to help teens relax and be mindful of the time.” If the teen continues to use it, there will be another prompt. TikTok has also disabled push notifications at night and cannot be changed.
These features are just the beginning
As people continue to embrace technology, social media companies are trying to address rising concerns that affect kids and teens’ habits. They have also been working with parents, assuring them that they will do their best to address the effects that social media has been doing to families.
More on social media app use
Australia Passes Social Media Ban Law For Kids Under 16
What Role Does AI Play In Education?
Hey Kids! Social Media Is A Big Responsibility
