TikTok has rolled out a series of new safety tools and resources to protect younger users and help parents manage their children’s digital activities. These updates are designed to encourage better communication between teens and parents regarding social media use and digital safety. TikTok’s partnership with the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) is at the center of these changes, and the company is taking steps to incorporate feedback from various advisory groups, including teens themselves.
Digital Safety Partnership
One of the key features introduced by TikTok is the Digital Safety Partnership, which was developed in collaboration with FOSI. This is essentially a contract-style agreement aimed at facilitating conversations between parents and teens about setting boundaries for online activities. The contract covers various aspects of social media usage and digital exposure, encouraging both parties to discuss and agree on responsible online behavior.
TikTok states that the goal of this agreement is to “set positive digital boundaries together” through open communication. Parents can download the Digital Safety Partnership template and use it to establish clear expectations for how their teens should interact with the platform. The contract is designed to mitigate disputes and help families navigate the complexities of online safety.
The involvement of FOSI and other advisory groups ensures that the needs of families and teens are considered in the development of the agreement. TikTok also plans to raise awareness about this resource through free advertising space on the platform, making it easier for families to access and utilize.
Updated Teen Safety Center and Guardian’s Guide
TikTok has also revamped its Teen Safety Center and Guardian’s Guide, incorporating feedback from its Youth Council—a group of teens that provide direct insights into what works best for their generation. The Teen Safety Center now includes more interactive content, such as quizzes and visual aids, to help young users better understand safety features like blocking and reporting.
The refreshed safety center also addresses concerns about how certain safety tools are used and encourages teens to be proactive in managing their online presence. By adding interactive elements, TikTok hopes to make the safety resources more engaging and accessible to teens, who are often more responsive to visual content.
The Guardian’s Guide is designed to help parents make better use of TikTok’s tools and controls to manage their teens’ accounts effectively. This guide is a key resource for families, offering advice on how to balance online freedom with necessary safety measures.
Consultation with Content Advisory Council
In addition to partnering with FOSI, TikTok consulted with members of its Content Advisory Council, Youth Council, and even parent creators on TikTok. This ensures that the updates reflect the real needs of users and address concerns from various stakeholders. The involvement of the Youth Council is particularly noteworthy, as it ensures that the platform’s safety features are both practical and effective from a teen’s perspective.
TikTok’s ongoing consultations highlight the platform’s commitment to creating a safer digital environment for younger users. By involving diverse voices in the development process, TikTok is attempting to strike a balance between teen autonomy and parental oversight.
New TV Campaign on Safety Features
To further promote its safety tools, TikTok is launching a TV campaign aimed at educating families about the platform’s various features. This campaign will emphasize TikTok’s commitment to digital safety, while also highlighting how users can take advantage of the new resources.
The TV campaign is part of TikTok’s broader effort to ensure that families are aware of the tools available to them and understand how to use them. By using mainstream media, TikTok hopes to reach a wider audience and ensure that more parents and teens are informed about the importance of online safety.
A Step Towards Improved Digital Safety
TikTok’s new safety updates represent a significant step toward improving online safety for teens. By focusing on open communication between parents and teens, enhancing educational resources, and promoting these features through a TV campaign, TikTok is demonstrating its commitment to creating a safer digital environment for its younger users.
The updates are the result of collaboration with various advisory groups, including FOSI and the Youth Council, ensuring that the needs of families and teens are at the forefront of these changes. While the Digital Safety Partnership contract might seem like a formal approach, it is designed to help families engage in meaningful conversations about the potential risks of online activity.
For more information on these updates, visit TikTok Newsroom.
