TikTok's Family Pairing Feature Enhances Safety for Users of All Ages

TikTok has taken several steps to improve safety measures and provide educational resources for families who use their platform. The COVID-19 outbreak and social distancing measures have increased the reliance on internet platforms like TikTok for entertainment, information, and connection. To ensure a safe experience, TikTok has made their policies more transparent, expanded their trust and safety teams, and partnered with online safety organizations.

One of the latest initiatives is the Family Pairing feature, which allows parents and teens to customize safety settings based on individual needs. This feature enhances the existing suite of safety tools and supports parents in guiding their teen's online experience while educating them about online safety and digital citizenship.

TikTok acknowledges that many users start using the platform at the age of 13, which is a critical time for them and their families to learn about digital literacy and responsible online behavior. In addition to Family Pairing, TikTok offers various resources such as educational safety videos and parental guides. They also encourage parents to discuss the code of conduct outlined in their Community Guidelines with their teens.

Family Pairing, which will be rolled out in the coming weeks, allows parents to link their TikTok account to their teen's account and set controls such as screen time management, restricted mode, and direct message restrictions. These features give parents insight into and control over how their teens use TikTok, promoting a safer and more trustworthy experience for users of all ages.

TikTok values the input and collaboration of their stakeholders in their ongoing efforts to ensure safety. They are committed to continuously improving through new features and resources.

Quotes from partners:

Nathan R. Monell, executive director of the National PTA, commends TikTok for addressing parents' needs and creating features like Family Pairing, which will give families confidence and help guide their teens to make responsible decisions online.
John Clark, president and CEO of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, appreciates TikTok's focus on safety and education, as these efforts are crucial in helping families navigate the online world safely.
Larry Magid, CEO and co-founder of ConnectSafely, believes that TikTok's age-based features and Family Pairing will help families establish digital literacy milestones and promote safer online behavior.
Stephen Balkam, founder and CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute, commends TikTok for providing guidance on digital literacy milestones and the importance of being a good digital citizen.

Note: The National PTA does not endorse any commercial entity, product, or service. No endorsement is implied.