TikTok Introduces New Features to Promote Digital Wellbeing

TikTok has announced a series of new features aimed at improving users’ health and digital wellbeing, including a “Affirmation Notebook,” background sound generator, and reward badges to help users manage their time on the platform. These updates are designed to enhance digital health awareness among teenagers and encourage responsible use of the platform.

New Features on TikTok

During early testing, TikTok observed that more users engaged with the new safety and wellbeing tools compared to previous versions. The platform will now display a link to these tools when users access TikTok at night or reach the recommended daily usage limit of their device or the app.

Affirmation Notebook and Background Sounds

One of the highlights is the redesigned screen time management page, which now includes:

• Affirmation Notebook: Over 120 positive reminders to set and achieve daily goals.

• Background Sound Generator: Plays calming sounds such as rain or ocean waves.

• Breathing Exercise Unit: Guides users through relaxation and mindfulness exercises.

Additionally, TikTok will feature content from creators who discuss reducing screen time, using parental controls, and customizing content feeds for healthier usage habits.

Reward Badges for Healthy Use

TikTok has also introduced new badges to reward users who maintain safe usage habits, especially teens. The platform reviewed academic research on healthy technology use and mental wellbeing, noting that overly restrictive tools can negatively impact adolescents.

To earn badges, users complete tasks such as:

• Sleeping for a recommended number of hours.

• Avoiding late-night usage of the platform.

• Using the new meditation and relaxation tools.

Additional badges are available for:

• Setting daily limits for device or platform usage.

• Reviewing weekly device usage reports.

• Encouraging friends to complete similar wellbeing tasks.

Through these initiatives, TikTok aims to balance engagement with mental health, helping users develop healthier relationships with technology while still enjoying the platform.