Recently, TikTok has unveiled a series of well-being tools designed to promote healthier digital practices, particularly among younger users. Among these features is an in-app meditation function that helps teens relax if they use the app late at night. Additionally, TikTok is enhancing parental controls by allowing parents to block their children from using the app during specific hours and offering insights into who their teens are interacting with online.

Meditation Tools for Late-Night Users

TikTok's new "Meditation in Sleep Hours" feature aims to help users wind down more effectively when using the app late at night. This function interrupts scrolling past 10 p.m. with guided meditations featuring calming sounds and breathing exercises. While it is automatically activated for users under 18, adults must opt-in. Testing revealed that nearly all teens kept this feature enabled, indicating its non-intrusive nature. Studies show meditation can enhance sleep quality, reduce stress, and improve mood.

This innovative approach encourages mindfulness by integrating short, relaxing activities directly into users' routines. When someone scrolls beyond the designated hour, they encounter a full-screen prompt that requires deliberate action to dismiss, making it harder to overlook. The feature not only promotes better sleep hygiene but also subtly reminds users about maintaining balance in their screen time habits. By embedding wellness techniques within the app experience, TikTok fosters a more thoughtful interaction pattern rather than passive consumption.

Enhanced Parental Controls for Family Safety

Beyond the meditation tool, TikTok is expanding its suite of parental controls to give guardians greater oversight over their teens' app usage. Parents can now establish recurring schedules where the app becomes inaccessible or disable access temporarily as needed. Furthermore, they have visibility into which accounts their teens follow, who follows them back, and any blocked profiles. These updates empower parents to guide their children’s online interactions responsibly.

The updated parental controls provide a comprehensive toolkit for managing how and when teens engage with TikTok. For instance, setting specific off-limits periods ensures kids take necessary breaks from screens, promoting healthier lifestyles overall. Moreover, granting transparency into social connections allows families to discuss privacy settings and foster open communication around digital safety topics. Through these measures, TikTok supports both individual user well-being and strengthens family involvement in navigating the digital landscape together.