TikTok comes with new measures to protect minors

TikTok is tightening the reins to protect underage users on its platform. A list of new rules – including extra settings for the chat function in TikTok for 16 and 17-year-olds – should better guarantee the privacy of young people. Part of the new rules is also aimed at reducing the pressure to participate on the platform.

Chat function and curfew

TikTok’s chat function has already been disabled for minors under the age of 16. As of the new privacy rules, this will also apply to 16 and 17-year-olds. By default, they can no longer receive messages from strangers. Currently, 16 and 17-year-olds can still receive messages from strangers, even if they are followers they also follow. With the arrival of the new rules, it remains possible to open direct messages manually. For example, 16 and 17-year-olds can still receive messages from strangers.

In addition to the new chat settings, TikTok is making changes to the platform’s notification settings. Users between the ages of 13 and 15 will no longer receive TikTok notifications after 9 p.m. The settings are also adjusted for users aged 16 and 17; they have a notification curfew of 10 o’clock. According to TikTok, this takes the pressure off of having to participate on TikTok by, for example, commenting on someone else’s videos. Research would show that minors feel more pressure from social media compared to adults.

Download Block on TikTok

TikTok also wants to protect minors in other ways, including changing who can download minors’ content. For videos from users under the age of 16, videos can ‘never’ be downloaded. As with the direct messages, users aged 16 and 17 will have to adjust a setting to make their videos available for download. Videos from 16 and 17 year old users will not be available for download by default.

Finally, TikTok lets 16-year-old users indicate who can view their video via a pop-up. TikTok previously came up with adjustments for users between the ages of 13 and 15. For them, their TikTok account is set to private by default, and videos are only visible to those who follow them. Furthermore, TikTok has adjusted the comments on videos of users between 13 and 15 years old in such a way that not everyone is allowed to comment anymore.

Privacy of young people

It is not surprising that TikTok is making such large-scale changes. The Chinese company has been under fire for some time because of the way in which personal data of young people is processed. The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) decided for that reason to impose a fine of 750,000 euros on TikTok, it announced last month.

What do you think of the adjustments TikTok is now making in its service to protect the privacy of young people? Be sure to let us know in the comments at the bottom of the article.