TikTok’s new features could be a game-changer for families

TikTok is working to make screen time safer and more balanced for families.

Between the bedtime battles, screen-time limits and endless negotiation over just one more video, parenting in the digital age can feel like a full-time job. But if your teen is on TikTok, help is on the way.

The popular video-sharing platform has just launched a suite of new tools to help users – and importantly, parents – take more control over what they see online.

It’s all part of TikTok’s broader mission to support safer, more mindful digital habits.

What does ‘Control Your Scroll’ mean?

TikTok’s latest features are about helping families set healthier boundaries, tailor the kind of content they see, and even wind down properly at night. That’s no small feat for a platform that’s notoriously good at keeping people glued to their phones.

For parents, these new tools offer more opportunities to co-pilot their teen’s digital world, while encouraging open conversations and setting up sensible boundaries that support everyone’s wellbeing.

TikTok’s new family-friendly features

1. Family Pairing for safer scrolling

Parents can now link their TikTok account with their teen’s through Family Pairing, giving them more oversight and the ability to:

• Set daily screen-time limits
• Control what kind of content their child can access
• Manage who can send messages or comment

TikTok also uses a system called Content Levels to limit exposure to more mature themes, offering a safer environment for younger users to explore and engage.

2. Sleep Hours and bedtime wind-down

Say goodbye to the midnight scroll. TikTok is rolling out Sleep Hours meditation – a new tool offering in-app guided meditations from 10pm to help users wind down. For users under 18, this feature turns on by default after 10pm, supporting better sleep hygiene.

3. Manage topics

TikTok now lets users fine-tune what shows up on their feed with Manage Topics. Love pet videos but not keen on endless pranks or beauty tutorials? Users can dial up the content they like, or turn down what they’d rather avoid.

4. Smart keyword filtering

This powerful new filter allows users to block specific words, phrases or slang they don’t want to see in their feed — and TikTok’s tech will automatically block related videos, too. It’s a useful tool for steering clear of triggering or just plain annoying content.

A step in the right direction for digital wellbeing

While no app can replace real-life boundaries and conversations, these features give parents a better starting point — and a bit more peace of mind. As part of the rollout, TikTok is also donating $575,000 AUD to six leading mental health organisations across Australia and New Zealand to support the creation of uplifting, evidence-based content.

Because in a world where screen time is often a battleground, every bit of support helps.

Australia’s new social media age law: What parents need to know

A major change is coming to how kids access social media in Australia. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 sets a minimum age of 16 for signing up to certain social media platforms. The aim is to create a safer online space for young people by reducing exposure to harmful content and addictive features like endless notifications, which can affect sleep, stress and concentration.

The ban was legislated in November 2024 and is due to take effect in December 2025.