TikTok Lets Parents Monitor Followers and Limit Access Hours

TikTok announced new features on Tuesday to enhance teen safety. Parents can now block their teen’s access to the app during specific hours and view their teen’s followers, following list, and blocked accounts through updated Family Pairing controls.

Customizable Screen Time Controls for Parents

The new “Time Away” feature lets parents set custom restrictions, preventing access during school, family time, nighttime, or weekends. They can also create recurring schedules, and while teens can request extra time, parents have the final say.

TikTok aims to promote digital literacy and encourage teens to disconnect at night, fostering healthier online habits.

In the next few months, teens who report a video they believe violates TikTok’s rules will have the option to notify a parent, even without using Family Pairing.

TikTok is also introducing customizable daily screen time limits, allowing parents to set different usage durations—such as 30 minutes on weekdays and an hour on weekends.

Additionally, parents can revert their teen’s account to the default private setting if it was made public. The platform will also restore access to its STEM feed for teens who previously disabled it.

Encouraging Healthier Nighttime Habits

TikTok’s new “wind-down” feature aims to help teens develop healthier digital habits by encouraging them to unplug at night. For users under 16, the app will display a full-screen prompt with calming music if they’re active after 10 p.m., reminding them to relax and be mindful of the time. If they dismiss the message, a second prompt will appear.

In the coming weeks, TikTok plans to test adding meditation exercises to its wind-down feature.

The platform has been rolling out teen safety features in recent years in response to concerns about its impact on young users. Like other social networks, TikTok has faced scrutiny from lawmakers during congressional hearings about potential harm to teens. The newly announced features are part of its efforts to address these concerns.

Meanwhile, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain, following a 75-day extension of its ban deadline by President Donald Trump in January.

Read the original article on: TechCrunch

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