Teenagers and parents can soon expect to see “dramatic” changes to TikTok and other social media apps.
Amid serious concerns about the impact of social media on young minds, TikTok has announced it will empower parents to monitor and curtail their children’s use of the app.
On The Hard Shoulder, Newstalk Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly said “in the pipeline for some time”.
“There are certain protections that are already in place,” she said.
“But today, they have announced a bigger, more dramatic shift that will absolutely be noticed by your teenagers.”
A teenager using a mobile phone. Image: David Burton / Alamy Stock PhotoTikTok spokesperson Valiant Richey told Jess that they will soon launch a ‘time away tool’, which would allow parents to block their children using the app at certain points during the day.
“This could be during school, at night, on a weekend away,” he said.
“We’re also adding increased visibility into the teens’ network for parents.
“So, for example, seeing who their teen is following, who is following their teen, who their teen might have blocked.
“We think this gives parents a little bit more visibility.”
Mr Richey added that TikTok wants to see teenages “develop healthy digital habits”.
“So, we’re launching a ‘wind down’ tool, which is a full screen takeover that’s on by default starting at 10PM,” he said.
“It includes calming music to help teens who are 13 to 15 relax and be mindful.”
Nor is TikTok the only app that is only that is clamping down on teenagers’ ability to use social media independently.
“I’m sure you’ve all seen the ads on tele, online and heard them on the radio of Instagram’s teen accounts,” Jess said.
“They’re doing a massive push; this is something that Instagram were looking to be seen to be doing.
“Particularly in the wake of Frances Haughen; she was a former Meta employee, she was essentially a whistleblower and raised some very serious concerns about the platform - particularly when it comes to younger females.”
According to the CSO, 89% of people aged between 16 and 29 communicate on social media platforms.
Main image: iPhone showing the TikTok app. Picture by: Alamy.com
