TikTok announced on Thursday to updates users privacy policy by introducing significant limits for teenagers in an effort to protect minors on their platform as TikTok come under increased regulatory scrutiny over their privacy safeguards.
TikTok design new restrictions for teenagers from 13 to 17 years-old
The series of app changes designed to protect their teenage users aged 13 to 17 aimed at making their experience more private, secure and safe. Teenager aged 13 to 15 are set to private by default, they won’t have access to commenting and other features, like Stitch and Duet. They also will have an option to decide who can see their videos.
The company will protect underage users from social bullying
Younger teens aged 13-15 will not receive push notifications after 9:00pm while 16 and 17-year-olds will receive their push notification alerts until 10pm. TikTok will turn off direct messages for 16 and 17-year-olds joining the service for the first time, and ask existing users to review their settings if they haven’t tried direct messages before. The company will monitor teens who have enabled download option for their videos.
We want to help our younger users in particular develop positive digital habits. Our priority is to ensure teens on TikTok have a safe and age-appropriate experience as they create and share on our platform. This announcement builds on our industry-leading efforts to make all accounts under 16 private by default, age-restrict features like direct messaging, and empower parents with family pairing. This will help teens to focus on work, study, relaxation and discourage late-night sleep.
Tracy Elizabeth – TikTok’s Global Minor Safety Policy Lead
TikTok want to save teens from facing bullies and other digital abuses that happens through videos and commenting messages. The company will roll out the features worldwide over time.