TikTok is stepping up efforts to address teen screen time with a suite of new features aimed at curbing late-night use. The latest update, targeting users under 16, introduces “Wind Down,” a feature that interrupts the For You feed after 10pm with a full-screen takeover of soothing music and meditative prompts like “Relax your mind… Inhale…” Designed to nudge teens toward better sleep habits, the tool allows one dismissal before a more persistent reminder kicks in. While users can disable it, TikTok claims most teens in test regions have opted to keep it active, a sign it might resonate.
The update, announced this week, builds on TikTok’s Family Pairing tools. Parents can now activate “Time Away” to block app access during set hours (say, post-10pm) or create recurring schedules. Enhanced visibility into teens’ following lists, followers, and blocked accounts also aims to spark family discussions about online safety. TikTok says guided meditation exercises will join the Wind Down feature in the coming weeks, further leaning into a wellness-focused approach.
The move comes as regulators and researchers amplify concerns over social media’s impact on adolescent mental health. Studies link excessive TikTok use to sleep disruption, ADHD symptoms, and even eating disorders, fueling debates worldwide—France is probing its psychological effects, while Albania plans a year-long ban after a teen’s death tied to an online spat. TikTok’s response seems calculated to preempt stricter rules.
