TikTok Responds to Safety Concerns: Introduces Youth Council for Enhanced User Protection

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By E.Baloyo , Parent Herald Jun 28, 12:21 am

Photo: (Photo : BAY ISMOYO / Getty Images)

TikTok has announced the establishment of a youth council to strengthen user protection for teenagers on the platform and address growing safety concerns.

Composed of teenagers, this council will play a crucial role in developing more effective safety tools and policies. By gathering feedback directly from its younger users, TikTok aims to avoid building inadequate or ineffective measures that may compromise user protection. The introduction of the youth council is a significant step towards enhancing safety on the platform.

Engaging Teenagers to Safeguard the TikTok Community

According to Tubefilter, TikTok, known for its engaging short-form videos, has recognized the need for a more robust approach to protecting its teenage users.

The new youth council will act as a bridge between the company and its younger user base, providing valuable insights into their experiences on the platform.

By actively involving teenagers in shaping safety measures, TikTok aims to address concerns related to mental health, well-being, digital literacy, and overall user safety. The youth council initiative was conceptualized by Cormac Keenan, the head of trust and safety at TikTok.

Recognizing the importance of gathering input directly from the target demographic, Keenan proposed the establishment of the council to the company.

TikTok embraced the idea, seeing it as an opportunity to make a meaningful difference and improve its approach to user safety. Through this collaborative effort, the platform hopes to tap into the collective wisdom and experiences of young users to develop more effective safety tools.

According to NBC News, Julie de Bailliencourt, TikTok's Global Head of Product Policy, emphasized the early stages of the council's development but expressed the company's goal to continuously design and implement robust products and policies that both protect and empower young people.

Acknowledging the untapped potential of innovative ideas, de Bailliencourt emphasized the importance of listening intently to what young users have to say about safety on TikTok. She added that the company aspires for the youth council to serve as an additional avenue for enhancing the overall experience of TikTok's youngest users.

Emphasizing the importance of prioritizing online safety, she described it as a competitive race towards achieving the highest standards.

Addressing Safety Concerns and Building Trust

Furthermore, TikTok has been facing scrutiny from lawmakers, particularly due to its Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance.

In response to these concerns, TikTok launched a charm offensive earlier this year, asserting that the platform is safe, secure, and not influenced by the Chinese government.

According to CBS, the app has faced criticism for its negative impact on teenagers. A recent study conducted by the Center for Countering Digital Hate revealed that TikTok exposed 13-year-old users to potentially harmful content, such as mental health videos, on average every 39 seconds.

Some users even encountered content related to suicide within two and a half minutes of joining the app.

To address these concerns, TikTok introduced screen time limits for users under 18 in collaboration with the Boston Children's Hospital Digital Wellness Lab.The limit is set at 60 minutes, and parents can set a passcode to monitor and control their children's screen time.

TikTok reported that around 75% of teenage users have chosen to adhere to the 60-minute limit. In addition, TikTok launched a content filtering tool last year to give users more control over the types of videos recommended by the algorithm.

Recently, the app announced that this filter feature can now be accessed through Family Pairing, allowing adults to link their accounts with their child's account for added oversight.

In conclusion, TikTok's introduction of the youth council marks a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to enhance user protection and address safety concerns.

By empowering teenagers to actively contribute to the development of safety tools and policies, TikTok aims to create a safer and more secure environment for its young user base.

The youth council initiative reflects TikTok's commitment to collaboration, innovation, and prioritizing the well-being of its teenage users as they navigate the digital landscape.