Users, both adults and teenagers, aim to regain control over the social media platform TikTok
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, TikTok has become a popular platform among young people. However, concerns about its impact on children's mental health have been raised. To help ensure a safe and healthy experience, TikTok has introduced several features to manage usage time and content.
TikTok has set a default daily screen time limit of 1 hour for users aged between 13 and 17 years old. This limit can be adjusted or disabled at any time. Users can also set a "Sleep Reminder" to receive reminders when it's time to go to sleep, and notifications are muted for 7 hours after the set time.
Time management on TikTok is crucial for healthy use. Users can schedule breaks on TikTok, receiving reminders to take a break after a period of uninterrupted use. Break reminders can be scheduled according to the user's needs, helping to prevent excessive use.
To further support responsible use, TikTok offers a global view of a user's screen time. A weekly graph displaying the number of hours spent on TikTok and the number of app openings is available in the inbox, providing users and parents with insights into usage patterns.
For parents and guardians, using TikTok’s parental control features is essential. Restricted Mode can filter inappropriate content, privacy settings can make accounts private, direct messaging can be disabled to prevent unwanted contact, and the Daily Screen Time Limits can cap usage duration. TikTok also offers features like "Family Pairing" which lets parents block specific accounts.
Monitoring content and exposure is also crucial. TikTok’s addictive design (infinite scroll, autoplay) and algorithm can target vulnerabilities, increasing risks of anxiety, depression, and exposure to harmful or age-inappropriate content. Despite safety features, children can bypass locks and age verifications, so parental vigilance is necessary.
Promoting mental health awareness is another key strategy. Discussing with children the nature of social media content, encouraging critical thinking about what they watch, and recognizing signs of distress can help foster a healthier online experience. Influencer content on sensitive topics ideally should include trigger warnings and links to mental health resources to mitigate harm.
Encouraging balanced digital habits through tools like TikTok’s “Well-being Missions” that gamify healthy digital behaviors can also help users manage their app time more responsibly.
Supplementing controls with education and family programming focused on social media use can further improve overall mental well-being. These discussions and educational resources can foster healthier interactions online and prevent misuse.
In conclusion, managing TikTok use for young users is a collective responsibility. By using TikTok’s built-in parental controls, setting clear boundaries around screen time, monitoring content, and fostering open communication about online experiences, parents and guardians can effectively minimise negative mental health impacts. Encouraging healthy and constructive use of digital technologies among children and adolescents is key to ensuring a safe and positive TikTok experience.
