TikTok, the popular short-form video platform, is implementing new safety measures aimed at protecting its younger user base. These updates arrive as the company faces mounting scrutiny over its impact on minors’ mental health and an impending U.S. ban due to national security concerns.
To promote healthier usage habits among teens, TikTok is introducing a “wind down” feature. Users under 16 who are active on the app after 10 PM will receive prompts accompanied by calming music, encouraging them to log off and prepare for sleep. This initiative aims to address issues related to sleep deprivation linked to excessive screen time.
Additionally, TikTok is expanding its Family Pairing feature, which allows parents to link their accounts with their children’s to monitor and control app usage. The new Time Away setting enables parents to restrict app access during specific periods, such as family meals or school hours. Parents can also view their teen’s follower activity, providing greater oversight of their social interactions on the platform.
These safety enhancements come as TikTok confronts significant challenges in the United States. In April 2024, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA) was signed into law, requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to divest its U.S. operations by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban. This legislation stems from apprehensions about data security and potential influence by the Chinese government.
ByteDance contested the law, but in January 2025, the Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality. Consequently, TikTok suspended its services in the U.S. on January 18, 2025. However, following President-elect Donald Trump’s indication of a potential extension for ByteDance to divest, services were temporarily restored. On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order granting a 75-day reprieve, allowing negotiations for a possible sale to American entities.
While TikTok’s new safety measures have been welcomed by some as steps toward addressing concerns about minors’ well-being, critics argue that these features may not be sufficient. Child protection advocates emphasize the need for platforms to proactively ensure safety rather than shifting responsibility solely to parents.
As the deadline for ByteDance’s divestment approaches, discussions about potential buyers and the future of TikTok in the U.S. continue. The situation remains fluid, with significant implications for the platform’s substantial American user base and the broader discourse on digital safety and national security.
Sources:
- TikTok’s mood music will tell teens to ‘wind down’ after 10PM
- TikTok gives parents power to block children’s use at dinnertime
- Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act
- Restrictions on TikTok in the United States
