TikTok introduces new features to make it safer for teens, families, and content creators

TikTok has introduced a series of new features that are said to enhance the platform’s experience for teens, families, and content creators. This includes features that allow parents to monitor the content their children are consuming and sharing on the platform to ensure their safety.

More monitoring tools for parents over their teens’ content on TikTok

With the internet being essentially an open space, where everyone can find anything, risks are certainly more prevalent, especially for teens. To make sure teens are protected, their TikTok accounts now come with more than 50 features and settings, allowing them to filter the type of content they see.

But of course, what’s the point of content filtration without parental guidance, oversight, or involvement? That’s why TikTok also introduced Family Pairing, a group of features that helps parents and guardians to oversee and tailor their child’s accounts to their individual needs.

With Family Pairing, parents will be automatically notified when their child uploads videos, stories, or photos that are set to be visible to others. TikTok says this helps parents stay informed and start open conversations about what their teen is posting, without disrupting a teen’s creativity or independence.

Family Pairing also provides parents with better insights into the privacy settings their child selects on TikTok. For instance, parents will see if their teen (aged 16-17) has enabled downloads for their content, or if their following list is visible to others. In addition to that, parents can also review the topics selected by their teens in their Manage Topics feature.

Well-Being Missions help promote positive digital habits

TikTok has also introduced a new feature called Well-Being Missions. It’s essentially a series of short, engaging missions designed to help people develop long-term balanced digital habits. Users will earn badges as they complete missions, which the company says will help encourage and reinforce mindful behaviours.

New creator-specific features to foster safer communities

Aside from user-centric features, TikTok has also announced new features designed to protect TikTok content creators and empower them with tools to succeed. This includes:

• Creator Care Mode
  • Helps creators better filter out offensive and unwanted comments
• Mute feature for TikTok Live
  • Helps creators on Live to bulk mute words, phrases, and emojis
• Content Check Lite
  • Allows creators to pre-check whether their content is likely to be ineligible for the For You feed before posting
• Creator Inbox
  • New professional inbox experience designed to help creators manage their messages more efficiently
• Creator Chat Room
  • Allows creators to connect and interact directly with eligible followers on TikTok

Footnotes now available for US pilot program users

Earlier this year, TikTok launched its Footnotes pilot program, a feature that allows people to add relevant relevant information to content to bring more context for users.

Now, the feature is open to all US TikTok users who’re in the Footnotes pilot program, allowing them to write, see, and rate footness on short videos.