In a significant update, TikTok has unveiled a range of new features aimed at enhancing user experience and safety. These updates include improved parental controls, innovative tools for content creators, and a fresh interactive well-being initiative. The platform is also rolling out a fact-checking system to ensure the authenticity of shared information.
Enhanced Parental Controls for Safer Usage
The latest enhancements to TikTok’s Family Pairing feature allow parents to have greater control over their teen’s account. This includes the ability to block specific accounts, ensuring that unwanted interactions are minimized. By blocking an account, the teen will no longer see that user’s content in their feed, promoting a safer online environment.
Real-Time Notifications for Parents
To keep parents informed, TikTok will now send automatic notifications whenever their teen uploads a public video, story, or photo. This feature aims to strike a balance between parental oversight and the creative freedom of young users, allowing parents to stay updated without stifling their child’s expression.
Increased Visibility into Privacy Settings
Parents will also gain insights into their teen’s privacy choices. For instance, they can check if their child has enabled content downloads or if their follower list is public. This transparency helps parents guide their teens in making safer choices online.
Creator Care Mode for a Positive Environment
In a bid to foster a supportive atmosphere for creators, TikTok is introducing ‘Creator Care Mode.’ This feature automatically filters out comments deemed offensive or inappropriate, utilizing AI to learn from user behavior. If a creator frequently reports or deletes certain comments, similar comments will be less likely to appear in the future.
Advanced Comment Management Tools
For live sessions, TikTok is launching a new comment management tool that allows creators to block specific words entirely. Users who attempt to comment with these blocked phrases will be muted for a duration set by the creator, enhancing the control over live interactions.
Streamlined Communication with Creator Inbox
To assist creators in managing their messages more effectively, TikTok is rolling out a revamped ‘Creator Inbox.’ This new feature includes folders for unread messages and starred items, along with options for custom responses to frequently asked questions, making communication more efficient.
Exclusive Creator Chat Rooms
In a move to enhance community engagement, TikTok is launching ‘Creator Chat Rooms.’ These spaces allow creators to share exclusive updates, gather feedback, and promote events. Available to creators over 18 with a minimum follower count, these chat rooms can host up to 300 participants, fostering a closer connection between creators and their audience.
Content Eligibility Checks for Creators
Creators will also benefit from a new feature called ‘Content Check Lite,’ which helps them determine if their content meets the criteria for appearing in the For You feed. This proactive approach allows users to make necessary adjustments before posting, ensuring higher quality content.
Interactive Well-being Missions for Users
In addition to creator tools, TikTok is launching ‘Well-being Missions,’ a series of interactive quizzes and flashcards designed to promote balanced digital habits. Users can earn badges as they complete these missions, encouraging positive engagement with the platform.
Dedicated Digital Well-being Experience
To further support user well-being, TikTok is developing a dedicated in-app experience focused on digital health. This will include features such as breathing exercises, calming audio tracks, and insights into screen time, helping users to recharge and maintain a healthy relationship with technology.