The video-sharing platform says it wants to promote positive digital habits and will also begin testing guided meditation tools in the coming weeks.
TikTok is introducing a new mindfulness tool to help teenage users wind down before bed and move away from the app’s feed.
The video sharing platform’s Wind Down tool will automatically turn on if a TikTok user under 16 is on the app after 10pm, interrupting the For You feed with a full screen takeover and playing calming music.
The social media giant said that in the coming weeks, it will also begin testing additional meditation exercises as part of the feature.
It is believed to be the first time a social media platform has pushed mindfulness tools directly to users, and comes as part of a wider update from TikTok.
It also features new parental control tools, including a feature called Time Away, which enables parents to block teenagers from TikTok during specific times, such as family meals, school, at night or during a holiday.
Until now, TikTok and other social media platforms enabled parents to set screen time allowances in hours and overnight, but not specific schedules during the day.
Val Richey, TikTok’s global head of outreach and partnerships, trust and safety, said the platform wanted to offer “ongoing support” to teenage wellbeing.
“That means exploring new ways to help guide teens in developing healthy digital habits,” he told the PA news agency.
