TikTok Introduces Screen Time Limits for Teenagers
TikTok, the popular short video-sharing app, has announced new settings to limit screen time for under 18s.
As part of the new settings, teenagers will be required to enter a passcode to continue watching after one hour per day.
The move comes as concerns grow over the amount of time young people spend on social media.
According to recent statistics, TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms among Australian teenagers.
In fact, 38% of teens in Australia use TikTok, spending an average of 90 minutes per day on the app.
In response to concerns over screen time, TikTok has worked with the digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital to introduce the new settings.
The company believes that the 60-minute time cap for under 18s will help reduce screen time and encourage teenagers to use social media to enhance their offline lives.
However, some experts have raised concerns over the effectiveness of the new settings.
While the limit is a step in the right direction, it may not be enough to significantly reduce screen time, as teenagers may simply enter a passcode to continue using the app.
Despite this, TikTok has said that the new settings will send teens an inbox notification each week, letting them know how long they have spent on the app.
The company hopes that this will encourage teenagers to make an active decision about whether or not to continue using the app.
While some teenagers may see the new settings as unfair, others believe that it is a positive step towards reducing screen time and improving mental health.
However, some have called for the time limit to be extended to two or three hours per day.
As concerns over screen time continue to grow, it remains to be seen whether TikTok’s new settings will have a significant impact on the amount of time young people spend on social media.
