ECNETNews reports that TikTok is enhancing its parental control features with the launch of new Family Pairing options. These updates give parents and guardians increased oversight of their children’s screen time and follower interactions.
The revamped supervision feature allows parents to view their teens’ followers, the accounts they follow, and any blocked accounts. Additionally, TikTok plans to introduce a feature later this year that will enable teens to notify their parents when they report a video.
The new Time Away feature empowers parents to limit their teens’ app access during specific hours. Parents can set a recurring schedule for app access and have the authority to approve requests for extended screen time. If a teen attempts to access the app unscheduled, a pop-up alert will prevent entry without parental permission.
Furthermore, TikTok will implement “Wind Down” reminders for users under 18, encouraging mindfulness by reminding them to log off the app after 10 p.m. This is part of TikTok’s broader initiative to promote mental health and responsible screen time usage.
Stephen Balkam, CEO and Founder of the Family Online Safety Institute, commended TikTok’s enhancements, stating, “TikTok’s latest parental controls and online safety tools are a significant step forward for families aiming to safeguard their children and promote responsible digital citizenship. These tools support parents in having open and ongoing discussions about their children’s technology use.”
While TikTok has been slower than some competitors to roll out such monitoring tools, it has previously introduced features like screen time limits, messaging controls, and content restrictions, addressing growing concern over the platform’s impact on teen mental health.
