TikTok has introduced a suite of new safety features aimed at enhancing the platform's digital well-being for families, creators, and the broader community. These updates include community-driven content labeling, improved parental controls, and new support tools for content creators. One standout feature is "Footnotes," part of a broader push to increase transparency and promote safer usage. These updates build on TikTok's previous initiatives such as "Family Pairing" introduced in 2020 and screen time limitations for teens rolled out in 2023. Additionally, TikTok previewed a new wellness experience that helps users track screen time and access calming tools like breathing exercises and nature sounds. While the updates were well-received by figures such as Angie Drobnic Holan of the International Fact-Checking Network, she emphasized the need for diverse moderation methods to ensure effectiveness. The release illustrates TikTok's continued effort to address user safety and regulatory concerns, especially as its user base now includes about half the U.S. population.
In response to growing concerns about online safety, TikTok has expanded its Family Pairing feature, providing parents with greater oversight and flexibility. The updated Family Pairing allows parents to set custom screen-free periods, such as during school hours or bedtime, and offers increased visibility into their teen's follower list. This aims to foster open discussions about online interactions and help teens develop digital literacy skills. Additionally, TikTok introduced a new wind-down feature that encourages teens under 16 to log off at night by displaying full-screen prompts with calming music if they are still on the app past 10 p.m. These features complement over multiple customizable settings already available under Family Pairing, making it one of the most comprehensive digital well-being toolkits currently offered by a social media platform.
To address the spread of misinformation, TikTok has implemented the "Footnotes" feature, allowing users to add context, sources, and other information underneath videos. Similar to Community Notes on other social media platforms, TikTok is effectively looking to crowdsource quality control for the information on its app. The new features will roll out globally in the coming months, reflecting TikTok's commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive community.