TikTok launches new safety features for teenagers and creators

Automatic notification to parents when a teenager posts a video, story or photo visible to others on TikTok; greater visibility into the privacy settings chosen by teens; and a new feature that prompts them to complete actions designed for user well-being. These are some of the innovations put in place by TikTok to increase the security of the platform announced by Adam Presser, the company's Head of Operations and Trust & Safety. Regarding the last feature, the one focused on wellness, TikTok offers a series of activities designed "to help people develop balanced digital habits over time". "As users complete the activities," the company says in a note, "they earn badges that encourage and reinforce mindful behaviours. The features, the platform points out, "enhance the experience of teens and families discovering and learning on TikTok, creators, and everyone else who connects with the content they love on our platform."

Per le famiglie

In addition to the 50 different features and settings built into the teens' accounts to ensure safety, TikTok reports that the platform offers the Family Connection function, which allows parents and guardians to customise their teenager's account to their specific needs. The upcoming news will enrich this function not only with notification to parents when their teenage son or daughter posts a video or story, but also with the possibility for families, for instance, to see if their child (aged between 16 and 17) has enabled downloads of their content or if their follower list is visible to other users. Furthermore, explain TikTok, parents will have access to the topics selected in the 'Manage Topics' function, used by the teenager to personalise their feed.

Per i creator

The app also launches new features to help content creators 'feel more protected'. Among these, TikTok explain, is a 'support' mode that allows creators to better filter out offensive and unwanted comments, and a new live feature that allows creators to bulk mute words, phrases and emoji during live streams. And again: more content controls within TikTok Studio, through which content creators will have the ability to check, before publishing the video, whether their content is considered ineligible for the 'For You' section. Finally, the platform is launching a new professional inbox experience designed to help creators manage messages more efficiently.