TikTok has become an incredibly popular social media platform in recent years among teenagers to young adults.
Although popular, TikTok has introduced several new features for teens and families.
These features provide young users with a safer and more engaging experience, enabling families to connect and have fun on the app.
In this essay, we will explore some of the new features for teens and families on TikTok that have been introduced and examine their potential impact on the platform’s user base.
Let’s delve into these fantastic features together!
1. The TikTok Family Pairing feature
The TikTok Family Pairing feature is a new addition to the app. It allows parents and guardians to link their TikTok account with their teenager’s account, giving them greater control over their child’s experience on the platform.
With this feature, parents can set restrictions on their child’s account, such as limiting screen time, controlling who can comment on their child’s videos, and restricting the appearance of inappropriate content.
This mode can be activated and customized based on the child’s age, ensuring they are only exposed to appropriate content.
Follow the below steps to use this feature:
- It would be best if you went to your page on TikTok.
- Tap on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen to access the settings menu.
- Scroll down and select “Digital Wellbeing” from the list of options.
- From the Digital Wellbeing menu, select “Family Pairing”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to link your TikTok account to your child’s account.
- Once linked, you can customize various settings, including screen time limits, restricted mode, direct message controls, and more.
2. Making TikTok safer for young users with enhanced privacy settings
Another important feature that TikTok has introduced to enhance the safety of young users is enhanced privacy settings.
With these new settings, users can control who can see and interact with their content, giving them more control over their online presence.
For example, users can make their accounts private so only approved followers can see their content.
Furthermore, users can restrict who can comment on their videos, block or report inappropriate users, and even hide specific videos from their profiles.
Young users especially need these improved privacy options as they may be more susceptible to online bullying or harassment.
By doing the steps below, you can experience safer TikTok usage:
- Open the TikTok app on your device.
- Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the screen to go to your profile page.
- Tap on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen to access the settings menu.
- From the settings menu, tap on “Privacy and Safety.”
- Here, you can adjust the privacy settings for your account.
- Under “Who Can Send You Comments,” choose “Friends” or “No One” to limit who can comment on your videos.
- Under “Who Can Duet with You,” choose “Friends” or “No One” to limit who can make duets with your videos.
- Under “Who Can React to Your Videos,” choose “Friends” or “No One” to limit who can react to your videos.
- You can also turn on the “Restricted Mode” feature to limit the appearance of content that may not be appropriate for all audiences.
- Finally, you can set up two-factor authentication for added security by going to “Login Verification” under the “Privacy and Safety” menu.
3. Screen time control
Screen time control is an important feature that TikTok has introduced for teens and families.
TikTok’s screen time control feature allows parents and guardians to set daily limits on their child’s platform use.
This means that after a certain amount of time has been reached, TikTok will lock the account, and the user will no longer be able to access the app for the rest of the day.
This can help ensure that children spend less time on the platform and balance their screen time with other activities, such as physical exercise, reading, or family and friends.
To do so:
- Open your TikTok account on your device.
- Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the screen to go to your profile page.
- Tap on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen to access the settings menu.
- From the settings menu, tap on “Digital Wellbeing.”
- Tap on “Screen Time Management.”
- Toggle the “Screen Time Management” switch to turn the feature on.
- You can then set a daily time limit for TikTok usage by selecting “Daily Time Limit” and choosing a time limit for each day.
4. TikTok’s educational resources for teens and families
In addition to the features above, TikTok has also introduced several educational resources for teens and families to promote digital literacy and online safety.
These resources include online safety guides, tutorials on using the platform safely and responsibly, and information about online bullying and harassment.
One of the most significant educational resources offered by TikTok is its Safety Center, which provides a comprehensive guide to staying safe on the platform.
The Safety Center includes information on privacy and security, content policies, and reporting inappropriate behavior.
It also provides access to various support resources, such as counseling services and hotlines for those experiencing online harassment or abuse.
Follow the below steps to access these amazing resources:
- Go to your account on the TikTok application.
- Tap on the magnifying glass icon in the screen’s bottom-left corner to go to the “Discover” page.
- Type “TikTok Safety Center” in the search bar and tap on the magnifying glass icon.
- Tap on the first result, which should be the “TikTok Safety Center” account.
- Here, you can access various educational resources, including tips and best practices for staying safe on TikTok, information about TikTok’s safety features, and resources for parents and guardians.
- You can also access the “TikTok Safety Center” website by tapping the link in the account’s bio.
- Additional resources on the website include safety videos, safety guides, and a parent’s guide to TikTok.
- To access the parent’s guide, tap on the “Resources” tab on the website and then select “Parent’s Guide.”
- The guide provides information about TikTok’s safety features, privacy settings, content policies, and tips for helping children use the app safely.
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In a nutshell
New features for teens and families on TikTok have significantly improved the safety and creativity of the platform.
From the Family Pairing feature to enhanced privacy settings, creative tools, educational resources, and live streaming, TikTok has made important strides toward creating a safe and engaging space for its users.
However, educating ourselves and our children about safe social media use is important.
We encourage parents and guardians to explore these new features with their children and to take advantage of the educational resources provided by TikTok.
Let’s continue to work together to promote safe and responsible social media use for everyone.
Which other new features for teens and families on TikTok do you know?
Share your ideas in the comment section.