TikTok said on the 20th that it has newly introduced a Time Management and Well-being feature to enhance users' well-being experiences and help build healthy digital habits.
The new feature replaces the existing screen time section and consists of various well-being tools such as breathing exercises, rest sounds, and a positive journal. It includes guided mindful breathing, rest sounds like waves, rain, and white noise, and a journal based on positive affirmation cards.
A Well-being Mission that uses reward-based tasks is also being introduced. Through daily screen time missions, weekly screen time missions, a bedtime streak mission, and a well-being ambassador mission, it is designed especially for teenagers to continuously check their usage habits. A mission is also offered in which a Well-being Tree grows if users reduce nighttime use and take part in meditation for eight weeks.
In testing, the revisit rate was higher than with the existing screen time feature, and the Positive Journal showed the highest usage rate. To improve accessibility, TikTok will also provide links that take users to the relevant features when they reach their daily screen time limit or when the bedtime feature is activated.
A series of guidance videos created with creators will also be offered. A variety of creators, including a mental health specialist, introduce features such as screen time limits, tailoring the For You feed, and Safety Pairing.
Interest in well-being on TikTok has been steadily increasing. Over the past year, use of the #JournalTok hashtag has doubled, and content under #NatureTok has also expanded. TikTok users were found to show relatively high interest in meditation and mindfulness, and after the Meditation Time feature for teens was introduced in Mar., use expanded across all age groups, boosting use of related features.
The new feature was developed by reflecting not only research on digital wellness but also input from the Digital Wellness Lab and the TikTok Youth Committee. In a teen survey, about two-thirds responded that tools for managing digital media use are useful.
Valiant Richie, head of global partnerships on TikTok's Trust and Safety team, said, "The Time Management and Well-being section is designed to help users rest and take care of their minds," and added, "Many users are already using meditation, so we expect its use to spread."