TikTok Rolls Out New Features to Protect Teens

TikTok has taken over as one of the most popular apps among American teens, but not without plenty of parental anxiety tagging along.

A 2022 study found that 67% of U.S. teens reported using the platform, with 16% saying they use it almost constantly. This extensive usage has raised red flags among parents, who are concerned about the potential impact on their teens’ mental health and well-being. Research indicates that excess screen-time can lead to issues such as anxiety, depression, and disrupted sleep patterns.

In response to growing concerns, TikTok recently rolled out a series of new parental controls designed to give parents more power over how their teens use the app.

New TikTok Parental Control Features

TikTok first introduced the Family Pairing feature in 2020 to help parents customize their settings based on their child’s individual needs. When the feature is enabled, parents can link their account to their teen’s account and monitor their screen time, direct messaging, content filters, and more.

According to a company announcement, TikTok plans to introduce even more tools for parents as part of the Family Planning feature, the latest updates will include:

• ‘Wind Down’ Reminders: For users under 16 active after 10 p.m., TikTok introduces a screen with calming music and mindfulness exercises to encourage logging off.
• Time Away: Parents can now block app usage during specific times, such as meals, school hours, or bedtime.
• Activity Monitoring: The app now allows parents to view their child’s followers, who they follow, and blocked accounts.

TikTok’s Parental Controls Over the Last 5 Years

TikTok’s safety features have come a long way, mostly because the platform has had to evolve quickly to keep up with user demands and parental pressure. Currently, parents have access to over 15 adjustable settings. Here’s a quick rundown of the most significant changes over the past few years.

Scrutiny Over TikTok’s Influence

TikTok has faced criticism regarding its impact on teens’ mental health since the app became popular back in 2018.

In October 2024, a coalition of 14 U.S. states, led by California and New York, filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that the platform’s design promotes addition and contributes to mental health issues among minors. An investigation even found that TikTok’s executives are aware of the app’s potential harm to younger users but didn’t do enough to address it.

Critics have also point out that while TikTok is pushing mindfulness prompts and scheduling features, it doesn’t tackle the real issue: the addictive nature of the content itself. Plus, misinformation remains a huge problem, with teens using TikTok to self-diagnose mental health conditions—a risky move that often leads to incorrect self-assessments.

On top of concerns about mental health, TikTok is also facing the threat of U.S. ban unless its Chinese parent company sells its stake by April, 2025. Currently, the U.S. administration is in discussions with four potential buyers, including Perplexity AI and a consortium led by former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. Analysts estimate TikTok’s value could reach as much as $50 billion.

Is It Enough?

TikTok’s new parental controls are definitely a step in the right direction, but they don’t fully address the deeper issues of screen addiction and mental health risks. Additionally, users are still responsible for inputting their own age, and no parental consent verification is required.

While testing out the new controls is a good start, parents should also stay vigilant and communicate openly with their kids about online safety. At the end of the day, no app feature can replace good old-fashioned conversations about balance and well-being.