Users under the age of 18 on TikTok will now have a maximum daily screen time of 60 minutes.
Introduction:
TikTok is setting a 60-minute daily screen time limit for users who are aged under 18:
TikTok, the popular video-sharing app owned by China, is introducing a new feature aimed at helping users control their screen time. The new measure will require users who hit a certain limit to enter a passcode to continue using the app that day. However, the app's younger users will have the option to opt out of the new measure.
TikTok stated that it is introducing the feature to help people, especially young people, "stay in control" of their use. This new limit comes after the app added a prompt last year that encouraged teenagers to manage their screen time, resulting in a 234% increase in the use of the app's screen time tools.
The app's age requirement is set at a minimum of 13 years old. As part of the new feature, users under the age of 18 will receive a weekly notification containing a recap of their screen time. This notification aims to help younger users understand and manage their screen time better.
TikTok's new feature is part of the app's broader effort to address concerns regarding the amount of time young people spend on their platforms. By giving users the ability to control their screen time and monitor their usage, the app hopes to promote healthier digital habits among its user base.
There is no definitive or prescribed quantity of screen time that is considered ideal:
As the new screen time limit on TikTok is implemented, affected users will see a notification on their app screen displaying their new daily time restriction passcode. If a user chooses to exceed the 60-minute limit, the app will prompt them to set their own screen time controls.
Parents who have enabled the Family Pairing feature on the app will have the ability to set their child's screen time limits and view detailed usage statistics on the dashboard.
TikTok's Head of Trust and Safety, Cormac Keenan, stated that the company collaborated with researchers and experts from the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital to establish the 60-minute daily limit for under-18 users. While there is no widely accepted guideline for the recommended amount of screen time, TikTok aimed to base its decision on current academic research and expert opinions.
Although some critics welcomed the implementation of a screen time limit, they also expressed that this measure is merely the "tip of the iceberg" in terms of addressing the broader issues surrounding young users' exposure to the platform.
Algorithmic technology that is highly addictive is often referred to as the "crack cocaine of algorithms:
Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, recently led research revealing that TikTok's algorithm exposes teenagers to harmful content. Ahmed described TikTok as "the crack cocaine of algorithms," highlighting its addictiveness, danger, and urgent need for regulation.
Ahmed's center discovered that within minutes of opening a TikTok account, a 13-year-old girl was receiving harmful content related to eating disorders and self-harm in her feed. He urged TikTok to take steps to eliminate harmful content from its platform and create a safer environment for children.
TikTok's popularity with 14 to 24-year-olds in the United States and the United Kingdom has made it one of the largest social media platforms in the world, with over one billion active monthly users as of September 2021. While the platform does not release demographic information, it is widely regarded as an important tool for reaching younger audiences.
However, TikTok has also faced controversy over its relationship with the Chinese government and user data protection. The Canadian government recently banned the app from its government devices, following similar actions in the United States. As such, TikTok is under increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators around the world.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, TikTok's introduction of a maximum daily screen time limit of 60 minutes for users under the age of 18 is a step towards promoting healthier digital habits among its younger user base. By collaborating with experts from the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital, the company aims to base its decision on current academic research and expert opinions. However, critics have expressed that this measure is only the "tip of the iceberg" in addressing the broader issues surrounding young users' exposure to harmful content on the platform. As TikTok faces increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators worldwide, it remains to be seen how the app will address these challenges while maintaining its popularity with younger audiences.
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