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| Tik Tok enhances digital well-being with time management tools |
TikTok has announced new digital wellbeing tools that encourage users to take a break from the app after long sessions and help them control the overall time they spend on the social media platform.
Video sharing platforms are very popular among teens. The company said that the two new tools come along with the existing daily screen time limit feature.
This feature allows users to set a daily time frame for using the app. Helps build positive relationship with digital devices based on user control.
The new screen time limit prompts users to take a break after a certain amount of uninterrupted screen time, a number that users can also set themselves.
Meanwhile, the new Screen Time dashboard displays TikTok users' data, including details of the time they spend in the app, how often the app is opened, and daily usage, with the option to opt in to weekly notifications to also view the numbers available to them.
"We believe our digital experiences should bring us joy, entertainment, connection and enrichment," the platform said. Positive relationships with digital devices and applications aren't just about measuring screen time. It also has to do with how we think about using technology. And make sure that the time we spend there contributes positively to our well-being.
“As we explore the platform, we are taking a number of steps to support the digital well-being of our communities.”
The platform has also released a new guide for its Security Hub with tips on developing good digital habits and setting boundaries.
Tik Tok helps you stop endless scrolling
Younger members of the platform community are starting to receive automatic digital wellbeing notifications. The platform said that people between the ages of 13 and 17 will be warned about tools that limit screen time if they use the platform for more than 100 minutes a day.
The changes partly follow a study the company conducted with online security group Internet Matters, which found that when teens felt in control of their online behaviors and habits, their health was positively affected.
Research shows that teens appreciate the inclusion of built-in features and settings that encourage them to think critically about their time. It also encourages them to use these settings to effectively manage the time they spend on the app.
According to the study, it is important for young people to feel in control of their experiences and help them make informed decisions. We look forward to developing more functionality for the platform and putting youth welfare at the center of their design decisions.
The new TikTok feature adds similar tools to other apps like Instagram and Netflix and aims to help users manage their usage time. Apple and Google also allow restrictions on apps for iOS and Android.