TikTok to let parents filter children’s videos

TikTok launched a feature allowing parents to control what their children can see. It’s adding new content filtering controls to the ‘family pair’ feature, allowing parents to filter out videos that contain specific words or hashtags.

In 2020, TikTok introduced the “family pair” feature, which enabled parents to connect with their children’s accounts and control specific settings, such as turning off direct messaging, setting screen time limits, and activating “restricted” mode. Additionally, a tool was implemented to filter out videos containing specific words or hashtags from the user’s “For You” or “Following” feed.

The new controls essentially combine these two features. Parents can remotely filter out videos with certain words or hashtags from their children’s For You or Following accounts. At the same time, Julie de Bailliencourt, TikTok’s global head of product policy, stated that the company wants to ensure that children’s right to participate is respected and has thus enabled children to be made aware of the filters their parents have selected.

The new feature comes after the company was accused of exposing children to videos showing self-harm, eating disorders, and other unsuitable content, many masked with slightly altered hashtags to evade moderation. The company faces new content regulations in the UK through the Online Safety Bill. The US is working on the Children’s Online Safety Act, which would force social media companies such as TikTok to add online protections for kids.