TikTok, the popular social media platform, has introduced a new feature called Time and Well-being on November 19 to promote healthy online behavior and screen time management among users. The update includes various tools such as a journal for positive affirmations, breathing exercises, and a calming sound generator offering sounds like rain, waves, and white noise. Additionally, the feature provides instructional videos from creators on utilizing TikTok functions like setting screen time limits and engaging in family pairing.
Users can receive badges by accomplishing tasks like meeting daily and weekly screen time goals, participating in sleep-related challenges, and undertaking ambassador missions to encourage others to use the well-being features. TikTok has emphasized the importance of structured positive reinforcement in assisting young users in cultivating healthier online habits, citing research to support the approach.
The Time and Well-being feature replaces the earlier screen time management page and can be accessed through the account settings menu, where users will receive prompts related to daily screen limits and sleep duration, according to TikTok. Furthermore, the company has shown its commitment to promoting digital well-being by contributing $100,000 to the Tech Coalition SafeOnline Research Fund for supporting independent research aimed at enhancing understanding of young people’s technology interactions.