TikTok is taking steps to support the mental health of teenagers by introducing guided meditation sessions for users who are scrolling past 10 PM. This new feature is part of the company’s efforts to address the growing concerns about the impact of social media on young people’s mental well-being.
Starting now, if a teenager opens TikTok after 10 PM, they will receive a prompt to participate in a meditation exercise designed to help them relax and promote better sleep. If they ignore the first reminder, TikTok will show a second, full-screen prompt that is harder to dismiss. While this feature will be available to all users, it will be automatically activated for those under 18.
During testing, TikTok found that 98% of teenagers kept the meditation feature on, suggesting that it resonates well with its young audience. In addition to this initiative, TikTok also plans to provide advertising space for mental health charities on its platform.
The move comes as calls grow for social media companies to better protect young users. In the UK, new regulations will require companies to prevent harmful content from reaching young people, and those that fail to comply could face fines or even bans starting in July. This aligns with similar efforts by other platforms, like Meta and Snapchat, which have recently implemented measures to enhance the safety of teens online.
In Australia, a significant step is being taken as well, with plans to ban social media use for those under 16 starting in December. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed support for such measures, emphasizing the need to protect children and support parents in ensuring a safe online environment.
As social media continues to play a major role in young people’s lives, initiatives like TikTok’s meditation prompts highlight the importance of mental health and the responsibility of tech companies to create healthier online experiences.