TikTok has reportedly started testing a new way to limit the type of content circulating on its platform based on age restrictions.
This is an attempt by TikTok to improve security features for teenage users. Currently TikTok and other social media are in the spotlight regarding the way they handle the safety of users, especially children and teenagers.
This feature is still in the early stages of development, but TikTok will restrict minors from viewing adult content or video content that is not appropriate for their age.
"When the system is fully rolled out, content we identify as containing adult themes will be restricted from teenage users," said Tracy Elizabeth, TikTok's US Head of Issue Policy, as quoted by Engadget.
"And for inappropriate content, adult themes, our community members will be able to choose a comfort zone or maturity of content that they want to skip or choose," he continued.
Elizabeth did not go into detail about how TikTok will determine content that contains adult themes. However, he said the system was still in its early stages.
He also explained that the filtered content could resemble ratings like in movies, television, or video games. "What we want to do is, you can choose for yourself which category you feel more comfortable with," he continued.
Elizabeth added that parents can control the content preferences that their children can see through the Family Pairing feature in the settings.
Separately, TikTok is also working on a feature for creators that will allow them to indicate whether a video they are creating is intended for adults or minors.
This can help further inform TikTok's recommendations to ensure that more mature content stays out of the feed of younger users.