Scrolling endlessly on TikTok is a common challenge, especially for children and teens. To combat this issue, TikTok has introduced an innovative feature called Time Away, designed specifically to encourage young users to take breaks, especially after 10 PM when going to bed should take priority.
How to Establish Family Sharing on TikTok
While TikTok promotes educational content through its #LearnOnTikTok initiative, many teens predominantly use the platform for entertainment, sometimes leading to sleepless nights. The introduction of the Time Away feature aims to alleviate this concern by enabling parents to take control over their child’s screen time.
To utilize this feature effectively on your teen’s account, you first need to set up Family Pairing. Follow this comprehensive guide which details the connection process between a parent and child account on TikTok.
Activating the Time Away Feature for Teen Accounts
Once you’ve linked the parent and teen accounts, access the parent account, then tap the profile icon located in the lower right corner.
Next, select the hamburger menu in the upper right and choose Settings and privacy at the bottom of the list.
Locate the Family Pairing option under the Content & Display section and select your child’s account.
Select Screen Time from the menu.
Then, tap on Schedule time away.
Switch on the toggle for Schedule time away at the top of the screen.
By default, the Time Away mode will activate at 10 PM, but you can adjust this to fit your family’s routine. Simply select a day of the week, enable the toggle next to that day, and set the preferred schedule for your teen. Weekends might offer more flexibility, so consider allowing extra time for TikTok. Alternatively, select the option to Apply every day if you wish to maintain the same schedule throughout the week.
Once established, this schedule will automatically synchronize with your child’s TikTok account.
Teens can view their Time Away settings by navigating to Settings and Privacy -> Time Away.
Here, they can see the restrictions parentally enforced on their account.
What Occurs When Time Away is Activated?
The Time Away feature serves as an integrated relaxation aid. When it is activated, it supersedes the standard For You feed, playing soothing music and presenting various prompts designed to foster relaxation and encourage preparation for sleep.
If teenagers ignore the first reminder, Time Away sends a second alert, cosseting them further from the app’s content.
Alongside Time Away, parents will be able to monitor who their teens follow on TikTok, as well as who follows them, through the main Family Pairing dashboard. Additional visibility into blocked accounts is also provided in this feature set.
Can Parents Benefit From This Feature Too?
Although the Time Away feature is not accessible to adults, they can still manage their own app usage through alternative tools located within the Screen Time section in the Settings and privacy menu of the TikTok app.
- Daily screen time – Set a maximum daily limit for TikTok or create a custom schedule for your own app usage.
- Screen time breaks – Arrange for periodic breaks and receive notifications when it’s time to take a break.
- Sleep reminders – Enable Sleep Reminders to curb late-night scrolling, and mute notifications for 7 hours to enhance restorative sleep.
If your objective is to minimize overall screen time beyond just TikTok, consult this comprehensive post on regaining more hours in your day.iPhone users can also find excellent tips on tailoring the Screen Time feature.
Image credit: Two joyful Asian women engaging with TikTok content on an iPhone by DepositPhotos. All screenshots captured by Alexandra Arici.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does the Time Away feature work on TikTok?
The Time Away feature automatically restricts access to TikTok after a set time, typically starting at 10 PM, replacing the For You feed with calming music and relaxation prompts to help users unwind before sleep.
2. Can parents customize the Time Away settings for their teens?
Yes, parents can adjust Time Away schedules through the Family Pairing settings, allowing them to set specific times for when the app will become inactive, which can vary for weekdays and weekends.
3. Are there additional tools for screen time management for parents?
Absolutely! Besides Time Away, parents can utilize daily screen time limits, screen time breaks, and sleep reminders to help manage not only their teens’ but also their own TikTok usage effectively.
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