TikTok shakes things up with new restrictions for teens! Family Connection, Meditation... Find out how the app is trying to curb teenage addiction.
TikTok is the must-have application for young people. Scrolling endlessly over short, viral videos has become a daily habit for millions of teenagers around the world. But in the face of growing concerns about digital addiction and the negative effects on mental health, TikTok is preparing to roll out radical new features. The aim? To restrict use by younger users and give parents more control. A decision that may not please everyone!
TikTok and digital addiction: a threat to young people
Since its launch in 2016 by ByteDanceTikTok has conquered the world with its ultra-powerful algorithm which adapts content according to user preferences. Result: a feed "Pour Toi who knows exactly how to capture our attention and keep us there. glued to the screen for hours.
Adolescents are more sensitive to instant rewardsare particularly exposed to this addictive loop. Several studies have shown that spending too much time on TikTok can cause :
- A reduced concentrationespecially in the classroom
- From sleep disordersdue to prolonged exposure to screens
- A addiction to likes and digital social interaction
- A social isolationreducing real-life interaction
Faced with these alarming facts, TikTok is taking drastic measures.
TikTok introduces shock features to curb addiction
The official announcement was made on March 11, 2025 : TikTok rolls out two major new features to help young people better manage their screen time and avoid addiction.
Family Connection" mode: parents take control
This mode has already been in place for five years, but TikTok is reinforcing it with stricter options. Parents can now block access to the application at specific timesthus preventing their children use TikTok at night or during study hours.
Thanks to the new Off-screen time functionalitythey will also be able to :
- View followed accounts and subscribers of their children
- Access your video viewing history
- Restricting certain content or creators
A revolution that could cause tension between teenagers and parents!
Meditation mode: forced interruption from 10 p.m.
TikTok goes one step further with a new feature: the Meditation. From 10pm, users under 16 will no longer be able to access the "Pour Toi" feed.. Instead, they will see only relaxation and breathing exercises accompanied by soothing music.
The objective is clear: encourage young people to drop out of school and sleep better. But this restriction may not please teenagers addicted to their night-time videos...
Will these new measures be effective?
The European Union has put pressure on TikTok to further restrict the use of minors on the platform. These new restrictions are therefore a a direct response to regulators' concerns and parents.
But the question is: will these new rules really work? Will young people find ways around them, such as creating alternative accounts or using their friends' phones?
TikTok is committed to strengthen its age verification system to prevent such detour. It remains to be seen whether this will be enough to curbing addiction or if this attempt will be perceived as too much of a constraint by users.
Europe on the front line: why don't these measures apply everywhere?
These new functions will only available in the European Union. Why is that? Because european regulators impose increasingly stringent standards to protect minors online.
In the USA and Asia, TikTok has yet to announce similar measures. Yet addiction to the app is also affecting these regions. Will the American and Chinese authorities follow the European example? Only time will tell.
Will TikTok survive these restrictions?
With these major changes, TikTok is trying to reconcile its immense success with government pressure. But the real question is: Will young people continue to use TikTok with these new limitations?
Some may be frustrated and turn to other, more permissive platformsas Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. Others, however, might appreciate these new featuresthat would help them manage their time better and avoid addiction.
TikTok is playing for big bucks with this initiative. If it is well received, it could reinforce the application's credibility and reassure parents. If rejected, it could provoke a flight of young users to other social networks.
What do you think of the new rules?
Should TikTok restrict access to young people to protect their well-being, or is this an infringement of their freedom to use the app as they wish?
Tell us in the comments if you think are these new features a good idea or too much of a hassle? !
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