TikTok is introducing new digital well-being features, such as an affirmation journal and a calming sound generator, designed to boost users’ mental health. The platform will also reward users with badges for managing their time spent on TikTok.
The company is reworking its screen time management section and adding fresh features. This includes an affirmation journal with over 120 positive prompts to help users set their intentions for the day, a sound generator that can play relaxing sounds like rain or ocean waves, and a breathing exercise module. The updated page will also showcase content from creators discussing ways to limit screen time, use parental controls, and customize their feeds.
Additionally, TikTok is rolling out new badges to encourage users, especially teenagers, to use the app responsibly. After reviewing research on digital well-being, the company found that overly strict tools can negatively impact teens.
To earn these badges, users can complete various missions. For instance, they can avoid using the app at night for the sleep hours mission, engage with the meditation tools to earn a badge, or set a daily screen time limit. There are also badges for checking weekly screen time reports and inviting friends to join these challenges.
During initial testing, TikTok noted that more users accessed the new well-being screen compared to the old screen time menu, with the affirmation journal being particularly popular.
TikTok plans to link these tools for users who are active during nighttime or who reach their daily screen time limit.
In July, TikTok launched new parental control features, enabling guardians to block specific accounts and receive notifications when teens post public videos or stories. In recent weeks, other tech companies like Meta, YouTube, OpenAI, and Discord have also introduced new safety tools aimed at enhancing teen safety.
