Faced with numerous criticisms related to the dissemination of dangerous content for young users, TikTok will deploy new functions to strengthen the protection of minors on its platform. It was time.
TikTok regularly finds itself at the heart of controversy because it does not filter content accessible to young users. Many very dangerous challenges regularly create buzz, such as the blackout challenge – which encourages people to film themselves choking to fainting and which cost the lives of at least seven children – or videos of a violent nature, addressing topics such as self-harm and suicide. Younger people therefore find themselves exposed to age-inappropriate content, because they are not aware of the risks they run by imitating those they admire, or are not emotionally mature enough to broach certain subjects. This is why TikTok is preparing to deploy new functions aimed at strengthening the protection of minors on its platform, in particular by means of a filtering system.
TikTok: content prohibited for people under 18
Of course, the platform always removes videos if they violate its guidelines regarding nudity, sexual activity, and violence. But, faced with the controversy of the blackout challenge, TikTok reacted by working on new functions, including one aimed at prohibiting certain livestreaming at least 18 years old. Tracy Elizabeth, head of policy for TikTok in the United States, explained to Techcrunch that “we’ve heard directly from our creators that sometimes they have a desire to reach only a specific older audience. For example, they can create a comedy with adult humor or offer boring workplace advice that is only for adults. Or they talk about very difficult life experiences. Given the diversity of topics covered, we are testing ways to empower creators to reach the intended audience of their specific content.“Creators will therefore be encouraged in the future to use the Mature Themes button, which helps prevent minors from encountering content intended for mature audiences or which may not be of interest to them in livestreams.
But the new filtering system also concerns the videos found in the For You tab. This Wednesday, July 13, 2022, the application gives more details in a blog post. This is a function called Content Levels – content level in French – the aim of which is to offer different levels of content, adapted according to the age of the public – a bit like the PEGI rating in video games. “We are working on implementing a new system to organize content according to thematic maturity. Many people are familiar with similar systems used in the film, television or video game industry. We create with these systems in mind knowing that we need to develop a unique approach for TikTok“, explains the company.
TikTok: a more personalized algorithm
The platform will also launch another system to avoid the mass distribution of videos on a topic deemed sensitive, such as fad diets or content related to depression. The idea is to avoid repeatedly showing this type of subject to users. A little, it’s interesting; too much, it can turn into an obsession. The sequence of videos on the same theme keeps the user active on the platform, but can also very quickly make him dependent, by locking him into a kind of virtual reality, in an obsessive loop.
Finally, the last option allows the user to define words and hashtags (keywords) that they do not want to see in their For You or Following feed. As soon as it is done, the application takes care of automatically filtering the videos offered. With this option, it is for example possible to ask TikTok to no longer offer DIY videos – because we have finished the renovations –, cooking – we have become vegan, for example –, or even showing video games. violent. All of these features will be available to everyone in the coming weeks.“In the coming months, we plan to add new features to provide detailed content filtering options to our entire community, so they can enjoy more of what they love,” assured TikTok.