If there is a social platform that for some time, and for various reasons, has captured everyone’s attention, this is undoubtedly TikTok.
The Chinese social network was elected most popular of 2021. And since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine broke out, TikTok has jumped to the headlines. Not always, however, for virtuous attitudes.
TikTok between fame and ambiguity
Since the early days of the Russian army invasion of Ukraine, the most youthful, flamboyant and smart social network has been seen as the emblem of a new way of narrating war. And this by virtue of its democracy, the fact that any citizen could testify directly to the effects of the war on the daily life of the besieged population.
However, over the days the position of the social network seems to have changed. And some research tells us that the Made in China platform has been too lenient towards Moscow’s propaganda.
Social networks, as we know, are constantly in the balance between two desires. That of showing oneself ethically impeccable with respect to the published contents, and that – it is still companies, indeed companies with exorbitant turnover – to look after earnings.
TikTok and digital wellbeing
Of course, TikTok has always shown some attention to its community.
The recent moves are also going in this direction, made official with a post that appeared on the day of June 9 on the company’s blog.
Where we read: “At TikTok we believe that digital experiences must offer joy, entertainment, connection and discovery. Having a positive relationship with digital devices and apps does not only mean managing the time we spend in front of a screen in a healthy way: it also means feeling in control of the way we use technology and making sure that the time spent online contributes positively to the our sense of well-being. “
Two new tools
So here is that, to foster the digital well-being of its users, TikTok has developed two new tools.
The first feature allows you to set the maximum time you want to spend on the app each day.
Added to this is a tool that allows you to check the maximum time of each individual session. The user can set the maximum duration of the period spent online continuously, after which a message will appear reminding you to take a break.
Other features
Always with a view to the digital well-being of the community, TikTok has renewed the control panel. From which it will now be possible to check the overall time spent on the app, the daily one, the number of sessions and the details of use in the various time slots. Users can also receive, on a weekly basis, a notification inviting them to check the control panel themselves.
In addition, there will be new weekly notifications for younger people: if a user between 13 and 17 years uses the app for more than 100 minutes a day, the next time they log in they will receive a reminder inviting them to use the Time Management function. .
Finally, a new guide has been published in the TikTok Security Center that invites community members to reflect on how much time you spend online, and on the importance of choosing the limits that best suit your needs.
Time Spent Online: A Research
To investigate the important aspect of time spent online, TikTok in partnership with Matters developed an investigation. Which involved parents and children from the UK, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy. Asked about their time online and what kind of support they would like to receive.
The results of the research show how important it is for the digital well-being of young people to have warning tools such as pop-ups and messages available.
This is how the company expresses itself in a note: “Strengthening the digital well-being of young people is a challenge that affects our entire sector and we hope that other players can also benefit from the publication of this evidence.”
Where is the truth?
Can not fail to catch the eye difference between news like this, which seem to genuinely show TikTok’s efforts in favor of users, and others, which would reveal some decidedly ambiguous behaviors on the part of the social network.
Not only that, as we have already said, towards its users. But also of its employees, as emerged from a recent investigation by the Wall Street Journal that we reported in another article.
The doubt is therefore legitimate: are the actions aimed at improving the digital well-being of the TikTok community inspired by a sincere democratic spirit, or are they mere social washing?
We suspect that only the top management knows the answer.