tiktok will now give you badges for limiting your doomscrolling

TikTok Enhances User Well-being with New Features

TikTok is introducing a suite of new digital well-being functionalities, including an affirmation journal and a background sound generator. These additions are designed to support the mental health of its user base.

The social media platform also announced the implementation of badges awarded to users who actively manage their time spent on the application.

Redesigned Screen Time Management

A redesign of TikTok’s screen time management page is underway, accompanied by the addition of several new features.

These include a journal offering over 120 positive affirmations to help users establish daily intentions. A sound generator provides calming ambient noises, such as rainfall or ocean waves, and a module guides users through breathing exercises.

The updated page will also showcase content from creators focused on responsible screen time habits, utilizing parental controls, and personalizing content feeds.

Badges for Mindful Usage

New badges are being introduced to acknowledge and reward users who demonstrate responsible platform usage, with a particular focus on teenagers.

TikTok’s research, based on academic studies of digital well-being, indicates that overly restrictive tools can sometimes be detrimental to adolescent users.

Earning the Recognition

Users can earn these badges by completing various challenges. Avoiding platform use during nighttime hours contributes to the "sleep hours" mission.

Utilizing the new meditation tools also unlocks a badge. A badge is awarded to those who set and adhere to a daily screen time limit.

Additional badges are available for reviewing weekly screen time reports and encouraging others to participate in these well-being missions.

Positive Initial Results

Early testing revealed increased engagement with the new well-being screen compared to the previous screen time menu. The affirmation journal proved to be the most utilized feature.

TikTok will proactively display links to these tools when users are active during nighttime hours or have reached their pre-set daily screen time limit.

Expanded Safety Measures

In July, the company launched enhanced parental control features, enabling guardians to block specific accounts and receive notifications regarding teen uploads of public videos or stories.

This move aligns with recent efforts by other tech companies – including Meta, YouTube, OpenAI, and Discord – to bolster teen safety through the implementation of new safety tools.