TikTok has announced that it is launching a new feature to help users reduce their screen time by targeting the app's endless scrolling structure. The new feature, called 'Screen Time Break,' allows users to control the amount of time spent in a single session on the app. Users can set their own time limits that, once reached, will trigger a "time is up" message, locking them out of the app.
In addition to Screen Time Break, TikTok has introduced a new screen time dashboard to let users track how many hours they spend on the app. The dashboard even offers a breakdown of daytime versus nighttime usage, as well as info regarding weekly totals.
"It is important that they feel in control of their online experiences and are helped to make considered choices. We look forward to TikTok developing further features that will put children’s wellbeing at the heart of their design choices," said Carolyn Bunting MBE, CEO of Internet Matters.
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What's Driving This Trend
- Screen Time Break
- Screen Time Break feature helps users curb endless scrolling on TikTok and inspires the creation of similar features on other apps.
- Screen Time Dashboard
- The Screen Time Dashboard can be replicated across apps to take advantage of the growing demand for nuanced screen time analytics.
- Wellness Features
- TikTok's introduction of wellness features can inspire similar features on other apps, helping to put users in control of their online experiences.
Who This Affects Most
- Social Media
- The social media industry can benefit from wellness features, Screen Time Break, and Screen Time Dashboard, and can create smarter and healthier platforms.
- Gaming
- Gaming companies can adopt similar wellness features to help users curb addictive gaming and manage their time effectively.
- Education
- Education-focused apps can use Screen Time Break to help users to manage their time and balance their learning with other activities.
