Tech

TikTok will limit screen time for users under 18

TikTok will limit screen time for users under 18

TikTok has announced that it will limit screen time for users under 18 to just 60 minutes a day. Children will automatically have their screen time limited and will need to set a passcode to continue viewing.

Parents and guardians will be able to set their own daily screen time limit for their children. This allows them to give different time limits depending on the day of the week, allowing families to take into account schedules and holidays. TikTok hasn't confirmed a date for when these changes will go into effect, but says it's coming soon.

Another feature is that teenagers between the ages of 13 and 15 will automatically have their own private accounts, meaning users will have to choose who they want to be friends with. Direct messages will only be available to those 16 years of age or older, and you must be at least 18 years of age to view a live video.

A screen time dashboard will also be introduced, which gives an overview of the total time spent in the application during the day and night. The update will also allow parents to mute notifications from the app for their teens, so users aged 13 to 15 will not receive any notifications after 9pm and those aged 16 to 17 after 10:00 p.m.

"Today we're rolling out several new features for teens, families, our community and beyond. We believe digital experiences should bring joy and play a positive role in how people express themselves, discover ideas and connect. We we're improving screen time with more personalized options and more parental controls," said Cormac Keenan, TikTok's Head of Trust and Safety.