TikTok now gives you badges to limit your mindless scrolling
What's the story
TikTok is introducing new features to promote digital well-being among its users. The social media giant is launching an affirmation journal and a sound generator, both aimed at improving mental health. The company will also reward users with badges for using the platform responsibly, especially teenagers. These updates are part of TikTok's larger effort to create a healthier online environment for its community.
Feature details
New features to promote mental well-being
The new digital well-being features will be integrated into TikTok's screen time management page. The affirmation journal will offer over 120 positive prompts for users to set their daily intentions. Meanwhile, the sound generator can play soothing sounds like rain or ocean waves. A breathing exercise module is also part of this update, further enhancing the platform's focus on user mental health.
Research-backed strategy
TikTok's approach to digital well-being
TikTok's decision to introduce badges for responsible usage comes after a careful study of academic literature on digital well-being. The company discovered that overly restrictive tools could negatively impact teens. To earn these badges, users will have to complete different missions like avoiding night-time use of the platform or using new meditation tools.
User feedback
TikTok's early testing shows positive response
In its initial tests, TikTok found that more users were visiting the new well-being screen than the old one on the screen time menu. The affirmation journal was especially popular among users during these tests. This positive response has prompted TikTok to include a link to these tools when users are active at night or have reached their daily screen time limit.