TikTok will automatically limit screen time for youth

TikTok introduces new features to protect young users: default active screen time limit and new parental control options.

TikTok is introducing new settings thoughtfully designed to reduce screen time younger users spend on the app. In its latest update, the company explains that it will now limit users aged 18 and under to 60 minutes per day. And this is by default.

TikTok introduces new features to protect young users

With this change, teens will still be able to bypass this daily limit, of course, but will require them to enter a password to do so, “requiring them to actively decide to extend this duration,” the company said. Also, if a teen decides to simply turn off this daily screen time limit, TikTok will still prompt them to set a limit if they spend more than 100 minutes on the app. In other words, it’s about encouraging you to slow down your app a little more without any obligation.

Screen time limit active by default and new parental control options

The company is also adding new parental controls with the Family Connect feature, which allows parents to track their children’s TikTok activity. Parents will be able to set their own screen time limit and have a dashboard with detailed statistics on the time their kids spend on the app, such as how often the app is opened, what time of day they consult most often, etc. Parents can also set time slots to show app notifications to your kids, and filter topics that shouldn’t appear in For You feeds.

The update comes after U.S. regulators renewed efforts to ban TikTok entirely. In addition to national security concerns, Congress has also criticized the company for not doing enough for younger users.