TikTok is restricting screen time for teens. The video app is to set a default 1-hour daily time limit on all accounts held by under 18s. It is also developing a tool to allow parents and caregivers to prevent children from seeing content containing certain words or hashtags.
TikTok says that is young people reach the time limit, they will need to enter a passcode to continue using the app that day. They will, however, be able to opt out of the new restriction, that TikTok says will roll out in the coming weeks.
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TikTok safety concerns mount
The new measure comes amid the Chinese-owned app trying to boost its public image. The ByteDance firm owns the app. Social media platform face increasing scrutiny over their impact on (particularly) young users. This includes the potential to lead teens down harmful paths. TikTok, however, in under great pressure from the US government regarding its ties to the Chinese government – sparking a renewed discussion of a possible US ban on the app.
Beyond the politics – this new feature could better the digital well-being of teens. Better to require young users to opt out of stricter screen time limits, than have them opting in to them.
The screen limit mirrors gaming rules in China. In 2021, the Chinese government issued new rules that limit the time minors can play online games. They are restricted to only an hour a day and only on Fridays, weekends and public holidays. This was also done in an effort to control internet addiction.
What teens see online
For years, there have been concerns about what information teens consume on social media, and the potential harm it poses. A report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), released last year, suggests that TikTok promotes content about self-harm and dangerously restrictive diets. Even to users registered under 18. Instagram faces similar accusations.
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Head of Trust and Safety at TikTok, Cormac Keenan, says the company is working to develop new limits:
While there’s no collectively endorsed position on the ‘right’ amount of screen time, or even the impact of screen time more broadly, we consulted the current academic research and experts from the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital in choosing this limit
Other social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat similarly rolled out additional parental controls. It also includes features encouraging teens to take a screen break and set app boundaries.
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