TikTok has introduced a new threshold for teen users, alerting those under 18 when they reach 60 minutes of daily usage. At that point, the app prompts for a manual input to continue using it. This change signals TikTok’s ongoing emphasis on guiding younger users toward mindful engagement with digital media.
Researchers and regulators have long watched TikTok pay particular attention to its popularity among younger audiences. A recent study from Qustodio found that in 2022, users aged 4 to 18 spent an average of 96 minutes per day on the platform, underscoring the urgency of meaningful time-management tools for this demographic. TikTok has responded by expanding features designed to shape how teens interact with the service, with a focus on healthier digital habits, self-expression, idea exploration, and social connection.
The company has expanded its Family Synchronization program with new options that give families greater oversight and control. The updated screen-time management tools include customizable settings for teen accounts, enabling caregivers to tailor limits and monitor activity in a more nuanced way.
To support teens in making deliberate choices about their time online, TikTok will activate a notification system once daily usage reaches the 60-minute mark. The system requires an input code to continue using the app, creating a moment for reflection and a pause before proceeding with additional activity.
Alongside this feature, TikTok consulted academic research and experts from the Digital Health Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital in the United States. The collaboration aimed to ensure the tools are grounded in credible findings about youth health and digital well-being.
One study highlighted by Internet Matters.org indicates that greater awareness of how time passes can help individuals make more mindful decisions about their online behavior. In response, TikTok has begun sending adolescents a weekly summary of their screen time via email, providing a clear snapshot of daily and weekly usage patterns to foster awareness and informed choices.
In addition to the time-tracking and notification features, the company announced ongoing innovations to empower families with more autonomy. Three new elements have been integrated into the Family Synchronization tool to enhance parental oversight while preserving teens’ sense of agency. The first element introduces personalized daily screen-time limits that adapt to each teen’s routine and family preferences. The second element adds a screen-time dashboard that aggregates app usage, including how often the app was opened and how time is distributed across day and night. The third element focuses on enabling parents to set a specific time to mute notifications for underage accounts when necessary, with policies adjusting for different age groups. Specifically, accounts for users aged 13 to 15 will stop receiving notifications after 9 PM, while accounts for users aged 16 to 17 will have notifications deactivated after 10 PM.
Additionally, TikTok has unveiled a sleep reminder feature designed to help users plan offline periods more effectively each night. This reminder is part of a broader push toward healthier online routines and better sleep hygiene for younger users.
Overall, these updates reflect a measured approach to digital wellness that balances teen autonomy with parental guidance. By combining time limits, usage dashboards, and configurable notification controls, TikTok aims to support families in fostering responsible screen-time habits while still offering a platform for creative expression and social interaction. The company emphasizes that these tools are part of a continuing effort to align its products with emerging research on youth health and well-being, and to empower caregivers and teens to navigate digital life with greater confidence.