TikTok Introduces New Parental Controls to Monitor Teens' Activity

The updates include features like Time Away, follower transparency, and mindfulness tools to address concerns over teen screen time and mental health.

TikTok's new Time Away feature allows parents to block app access during specific times, such as school hours or family meals, with teens able to request additional time subject to parental approval.
Parents can now view who their teens follow, who follows them, and which accounts their teens have blocked through the updated Family Pairing settings.
A Wind Down feature for users under 16 interrupts late-night usage with calming music and mindfulness prompts after 10 p.m., with plans to add meditation exercises in the future.
The updates aim to address concerns about the app’s potential impact on teen mental health, including screen addiction, anxiety, and sleep disruption.
TikTok's efforts reflect broader industry trends to enhance online safety, as regulatory and parental pressures grow over social media's effects on young users.