TikTok, a video-sharing social networking service, has announced new privacy protections for teen users.
The video sharing app is implementing new options and controls to better protect its users under 18, according to a press release.
The new changes include privately neglecting all accounts for users ages 13 to 15 and restricting comments to friends only or anyone.
As mentioned, the privacy setting of accounts registered for users of this age group will be taken privately. It means that only the user’s allowed fans can view their videos.
The settings can also be made public so that their videos will be visible to everyone, according to the company statement.
“By engaging early in their privacy journey, we can allow them to make deliberate decisions about their online privacy,” the news reads.
Similarly, the “Recommend your account to others” setting will be fundamentally disabled, according to the press release.
Other changes include limiting the comments section for users aged 13-15 to friends only or no one at all, and only allowing video downloads for users aged 16- 17. Their default setting will also be on Friends Only.
According to the statement, they are also building on previous updates to improve youth safety, including restricting direct messaging and hosting live streams to 16 users and older.
The video sharing app, according to PR, also restricts buying, sending or receiving meaningful gifts for users 18 and older, and will allow a Family Pairing feature, which allows parents / guardians to set a guard on their teenage TikTok.
