TikTok Releases Updated Community Guidelines

TikTok has recently announced the release of their updated Community Guidelines, which are designed to support a safe and welcoming environment for users. These guidelines cover 10 categories of content and have been updated based on user behavior, community feedback, and input from experts and organizations.

Strengthened Policies

In this update, TikTok has strengthened their policies in key areas to better support the well-being of their community. They have incorporated feedback from mental health experts to improve their policies on self-harm and suicide content. Additionally, considerations have been added to their policy on eating disorder content to prevent the normalization or glorification of dangerous weight loss behaviors. The platform has also enhanced their policies on bullying and harassment, explicitly stating the types of content and behaviors that are not welcome on TikTok, including doxxing, cyberstalking, and sexual harassment.

Safety of the Community

TikTok prioritizes the safety of their community, especially youth. They have expanded their minor safety policy to include a section on harmful activities, emphasizing that content promoting dangerous dares, games, or acts that may jeopardize the safety of youth is not allowed on TikTok. While creativity and fun are encouraged, they should never come at the expense of someone's safety.

Stand Against Violence

TikTok stands firmly against violence, both online and offline. They have updated their policy on dangerous individuals and organizations to focus more holistically on the issue of violent extremism. The guidelines now provide greater detail on what constitutes a threat or incitement to violence, and the content and behavior that TikTok prohibits.

Inclusivity and Accessibility

TikTok is committed to inclusivity and continuously working to make the platform more accessible for everyone. They have introduced tools to support people with photosensitive epilepsy and are rolling out a text-to-speech feature that allows typed text to be converted into voiceover in videos.

Resources for Struggling Users

To support the well-being of their community, TikTok is launching updated resources for those who may be struggling. These resources have been developed in collaboration with leading behavioral psychologists and suicide prevention experts. Users searching for terms related to self-harm or negative self-perception will be provided with evidence-based actions they can take. Additionally, access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Crisis Text Line is available for those in need of emotional support. TikTok is also introducing opt-in viewing screens for videos that may contain graphic or distressing content, giving viewers the choice to skip or watch.

Tools for Managing TikTok Experience

TikTok is constantly developing tools to help users manage their TikTok experience. These include automatically filtering unwanted comments and the ability to indicate disinterest in certain videos. These tools are particularly important for individuals who want to share their stories and raise awareness on sensitive topics.

COVID-19 Support

Throughout the pandemic, TikTok has been a platform for sharing public health information and providing relief for frontline workers and families. As COVID-19 vaccines are being developed and approved, TikTok is furthering their efforts to support the well-being of their community by making authoritative information readily available. They are updating their in-app coronavirus resource hub with frequently asked questions and answers about COVID-19 vaccines from public health experts. Additionally, TikTok is partnering with Team Halo to allow scientists worldwide to share video updates on vaccine progress.

Commitment to Safety

TikTok is committed to educating and empowering their community on their policies through in-app videos, notifications, and safety tools. Users will be prompted to review the updated guidelines when they open TikTok this month. The platform understands the responsibility they have to their users and will continue to advance their policies, develop technology to detect violative content, and empower their community to help foster a trustworthy environment. Their goal is to provide a positive and meaningful TikTok experience for all.