Teenagers spend hours on TikTok every day, but how can parents ensure a healthy balance? TikTok is introducing new Family Pairing features that allow parents to regulate screen time, gain insight into their teenager's network, and receive notifications about reported content. Additionally, a digital wind-down feature will help teenagers limit their screen time in the evenings.
More control and insight for parents
Since the launch of Family Pairing, TikTok has been continuously adding new features based on feedback from parents and expert advice. The latest update allows parents to set specific time blocks during which their teenager cannot use TikTok, such as during school hours, family time, or at night. Parents can also establish a recurring schedule and see who their child follows, who follows them, and which accounts their child has blocked.
Additionally, parents will soon be notified when their teenager reports a video that may violate the rules. With these insights, parents can engage in conversations and guide their children in digital awareness.
Digital Balance for Teenagers
To help young people regulate their screen time, TikTok is introducing a wind-down feature for users under 16 years old. Those who are still active after 10:00 PM will receive a full-screen notification accompanied by calming music. If the teenager ignores this first reminder, a second, harder-to-dismiss notification will appear. In some countries, TikTok is even testing meditation exercises to promote better sleep behavior.
Additionally, TikTok will continue to automatically disable push notifications after 10:00 PM for teenagers, a measure that cannot be adjusted. Previous pilots have shown that most young users keep these reminders active, indicating a positive impact on their digital habits.
Collaboration and future plans
Age verification remains an important topic for online platforms and policymakers. TikTok utilizes machine learning to ensure that teenagers have the appropriate experience and collaborates with Telefónica to explore age verification through telecom data. Additionally, TikTok participates in the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Age Assurance, where experts seek broader age verification solutions.
To further support parents, TikTok is developing the Digital Safety Partnership for Families. This initiative helps families engage in conversations about digital safety and establish clear agreements regarding online behavior. In 2025, TikTok remains focused on enhancing the safety and well-being of teenagers on the platform.