TikTok New Commenting Features: Bullying Prevention

TikTok Introduces Enhanced Commenting Features

Following the recent implementation of a new Q&A system for creator-viewer interactions, TikTok has announced the rollout of updated commenting functionalities. These new tools empower creators with greater control over the comments published on their content, prior to their visibility.

A further addition, designed for users engaging in commenting, will present a prompt encouraging reconsideration of potentially inappropriate or unkind remarks before submission.

Fostering a Positive Online Environment

TikTok emphasizes that the primary objective of these features is to cultivate a supportive and constructive atmosphere. This allows users to concentrate on creative expression and community building.

“Filter All Comments” Feature

Rather than solely reacting to and removing offensive content, creators utilizing the new “Filter All Comments” option will be able to curate which comments are displayed on their videos. This requires reviewing each comment individually through a newly designed comment management system before approval.

This functionality expands upon TikTok’s existing comment moderation capabilities. These currently include filtering spam and objectionable content, as well as keyword-based filtering – features similar to those found on platforms like Instagram.

With “Filter All Comments” enabled, no comment will be published without explicit creator approval. This provides creators with comprehensive control over their online presence and can potentially mitigate bullying and abusive behavior. However, it also raises concerns about the potential for unchecked misinformation or a skewed perception of a creator’s popularity.

Prompting Users to Reconsider

The second new feature proactively encourages users to pause and reflect before posting potentially harmful comments. Users will be presented with a prompt reminding them of TikTok’s Community Guidelines and given the opportunity to edit their comments before sharing.

These “nudges” are designed to slow down impulsive reactions, allowing users time to consider the impact of their words. TikTok already employs similar prompts to encourage users to verify claims flagged by fact-checkers, aiming to curb the spread of misinformation.

A Shift Towards Proactive Moderation

Other social networks have been slower to adopt such proactive measures. Instagram, launched in 2010, only introduced prompts to reconsider offensive comments nearly a decade later. Twitter has recently begun testing similar features, after nearly a year of variations on the same concept.

Social platforms have historically been cautious about implementing more frequent prompts, despite evidence of their effectiveness in influencing user behavior. For example, prompting users to read articles before retweeting increased article opens by 40%. More commonly, networks opt to downrank or hide negative comments, as seen with Instagram’s “View Hidden Comments” and Twitter’s “Hide Replies.”

TikTok states it is collaborating with industry partners in the development of these new policies and features. A partnership with the Cyberbullying Research Center (CRC) has also been announced, with plans for future collaborative initiatives to promote a positive online environment.

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