Short-video sharing platform TikTok has introduced new and improved features to its Family Pairing tool aimed at enhancing teenagers’ safety online. The update is designed to help parents maintain more transparent control over their children’s online activity while encouraging healthier digital habits among teenagers.

One of the key additions is the Time Away scheduling feature, which allows parents to set specific screen-free periods, such as during school hours, bedtime or holidays. Teenagers may request extra screen time, but the final decision remains with parents.

Another update enables parents to view their child’s network activity, including who follows them, whom they follow and which accounts they have blocked. This feature is expected to promote open family discussions about online relationships and support teenagers in developing digital literacy skills.

TikTok will also introduce a new proactive reporting alert feature. This will allow teenagers who report a video to simultaneously notify a parent or trusted adult, even if they are not using the Family Pairing option.

Alongside these updates, TikTok has launched a feature called Wind Down for users under 16. If a teenager remains active on the platform after 10:00 pm, a full-screen reminder with calming visuals and soothing sounds will appear to encourage relaxation and awareness of screen time. If usage continues, stronger reminders will follow.

Early feedback suggests many teenagers are choosing to keep this feature switched on themselves, indicating a positive effect on screen-time habits. TikTok also plans to add guided meditation to this feature in the future, which could help improve sleep quality.

In a statement, TikTok said safety remains its top priority. The company stated that these Family Pairing updates are intended to give families effective tools to help teenagers develop healthier digital habits and maintain a safer online experience.