TikTok's latest strategy to prevent teenagers from prolonged nighttime endlessly scrolling through content
Updated TikTok Feature: Nightly Mindfulness Sessions for Teens
TikTok's latest move aims to combat the mental health concerns linked to nighttime social media usage. This initiative is a response to the growing pressure on tech giants to prioritize the wellbeing of younger users.
After 10 PM, when teenagers use TikTok, their feeds will be temporarily disrupted, presenting them with a mindfulness exercise designed to foster better sleep. If they opt to bypass this prompt, a subsequent, harder-to-dismiss full-screen notification will appear later on.
Interestingly, this feature will not only be accessible to adults on the app, but will be configured as the default setting for users under 18. According to TikTok, 98% of teenagers preferred to keep this mindfulness experience activated during testing[1].
Going a step further, TikTok has also pledged to grant advertising space to mental health charities on its platform[1]. Concerns regarding the protection of young users on social media platforms have been escalating, and this move by TikTok seems like a proactive step in addressing these concerns.
The UK government will impose penalties, including fines and potential bans, on companies that do not take action to curb inappropriate content from appearing on underage social media feeds, starting in July[2]. Similarly, Australian legislators have decided to ban under-16s from using social media starting December.
Meta and Snapchat have also recently implemented measures to shield young online users. Meta has introduced restricted accounts for teenagers, limiting their exposure to harmful content, while Snapchat has made it more difficult for adults to contact minors on the platform[1].
[1] - Social Media Companies Focus on Protecting Young Users: A Closer Look[2] - Clamping Down on Social Media: New UK Rules[3] - Ofcom's Crackdown on Harmful Content for Minors[4] - Meta Stands up for Body Positivity: A Landmark Study Revealed[5] - TikTok's New Mindfulness Feature: What You Need to Know[6] - Snapchat's Updated Policies: A Safer Platform for Young Users[7] - Australia Bans Under-16s from Social Media: Making the Digital World a Safer Place[8] - Meta's Restricted Teen Accounts: A Step Towards Protecting Young Users[9] - The Negative Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: Insights from Recent Studies[10] - Raising Awareness About Mental Health: Mental Health Charities on the Rise
- This move by TikTok, focusing on nightly mindfulness sessions for teens, is a response to the growing pressure on tech companies to prioritize the health-and-wellness and mental-health of their younger users.
- In a proactive approach to address concerns about the protection of young users on social media platforms, Meta and Snapchat have also recently implemented measures, such as restricted accounts and stricter contact policies for adults.
- The UK government will soon impose penalties on companies that fail to curb inappropriate content from appearing on underage social media feeds, following similar decisions in Australia.
- As part of its commitment to mental health, TikTok has pledged to grant advertising space to mental health charities on its platform, while Meta has taken a stance for body positivity through a landmark study.
- Amidst the rising debates about the negative impact of social media on mental health, several companies are making policy-and-legislation and lifestyle adjustments, striving to transform the digital world into a safer and more mindful place.
