Islamabad :- TikTok has introduced a set of tools that allow families to help ensure that teens use the app in a safe and responsible way in Pakistan. After the launch of ‘Family Pairing Feature’, TikTok has released several features to keep families safe and secure in its platform.
Through Family Pairing, parents can use screen-time management tools to set time limits for their teens. Parents have the option to set the daily screen-time limits and schedule breaks. They can also make adjustments to allow or restrict direct messaging, commenting on videos, account discoverability, and who can download videos. From easy setup to digital security, TikTok ensures that the users and communities are safe.
Direct messaging is off by default for accounts of users 16 years of age or younger, and push notifications are muted during night time hours. TikTok unlocks the content feed for users based on responsible age-appropriate content. Screen-time limits of 60 minutes per day are set by default for teens under 18. The system also filters content deemed unsuitable for teens and uses technology to verify that users are placed in the right age-appropriate experience.
Now, Pakistani parents can see their teen’s privacy settings and be notified when public videos are posted. These tools help foster family dialogue about online behaviour, healthy screen time, and the appropriateness of what they’re viewing. TikTok makes it clear that these tools should not only be used for parental control but are a way to initiate family conversations that can result in teens developing self-awareness and responsible digital habits of creating safety.
In its continued commitment to supporting user well-being, TikTok had introduced a new in-app Guided Meditation feature earlier this year aimed at making mindfulness practices more accessible to people of all ages. Integrated within the existing Sleep Hours setting, this feature encourages users to wind down at night through calming, guided exercises designed to support better sleep and emotional balance. For users under 18, the feature is automatically enabled, replacing the For You Feed with a meditation prompt after 10 p.m. to help promote healthy screen time habits. Adults can manually activate the feature through their Screen Time settings.
Through these tools, TikTok aims to support both teens and adults in creating personalized routines that maximize enjoyment while minimizing potential negative effects associated with extended screen time.
These enhancements complement TikTok’s existing safety infrastructure, which includes over fifty built-in safeguards for teens, such as age-appropriate content filters, screen time limits, and restricted messaging capabilities. The platform also continues to provide resources through its Digital Safety Partnership for Families, equipping parents with guidance and tools to support healthy digital habits at home. By enabling trust and safety features like Family Pairing, and age-appropriate safety controls, TikTok is offering parents and families tools to navigate and support the next generation in a safe environment, allowing teens to explore, create, and connect in a meaningful and safe way.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
