TikTok, the leading destination for short-form mobile video, hosted a panel discussion with the aim of empowering parents to take an active role in shaping their teens’ digital experiences while allowing them the freedom to express themselves creatively and safely. Featuring Child Rights Coalition Asia Deputy Regional Executive Director, Hazel Joy Bitaña, and TikTok Public Policy Manager, Peachy Paderna, the discussion provided a platform for helpful and insightful conversations about the crucial role that parents play and strategies they can use to ensure the online safety of their teens.
The panel discussion began by shedding light on the effects of the digital age on family dynamics, parenting practices, and the relationships between parents and children. Subsequently, this led to a discussion about the current tools and resources available on TikTok to foster a secure online environment for teens, before exploring the tips and strategies for parents to use in guiding their teens’ digital experience.
“Today’s teens actively use platforms like TikTok not only as a source of entertainment but also as a tool for discovery, learning, and creative expression. As this age group becomes more immersed in digital spaces and as we empower them to become responsible digital citizens, it is important to provide parents with tools and resources that will enable them to support their teens,” said Child Rights Coalition Asia Deputy Regional Executive Director, Hazel Bitaña.
From left: Peachy Paderna, Philippines, TikTok Public Policy Manager; Bea Bautista, Head of Communications, Philippines, TikTok; and Hazel Joy Bitaña, Child Rights Coalition Asia Deputy Regional Executive Director
“TikTok recognizes that teens are growing up in a digital-first world, and that they deserve special consideration as they begin to explore the online world more independently,” said Peachy Paderna, Public Policy Manager at TikTok. “TikTok’s resources, such as the Family Pairing features, Guardian’s Guide, and Teen Safety Center, help build trust between parents and teens by offering tools that balance freedom and supervision. They empower young people to explore and express themselves responsibly, with the right guidance in place to ensure age-appropriate experiences”.
Bitaña recognized TikTok’s efforts to balance the safety and empowerment of young people in digital spaces. “As part of our mission at Child Rights Coalition Asia of advocating for better policies for and with children and teens, we believe digital platforms are spaces where teens should be free to express themselves safely and in the creative method of their choice. And while ensuring children’s right to protection is vital, it is equally important to guarantee their other rights, and parents and guardians can contribute to this by having conversations with their teens about their experiences online,” she said.
Empowering parents and supporting Digital Well-Being
Launched in 2020, Family Pairing, TikTok’s parental supervision tool, now provides more flexibility, giving parents and guardians more ways to support their teens’ digital well-being.
With Time Away, parents can schedule app-free hours that suit their family’s lifestyle, especially during school, dinner, or bedtime. The Visibility on Followers feature provides a transparent look at who teens follow, who follows them, and which accounts they’ve blocked. This can help parents better understand their teens’ digital interactions. The Report Alerts feature gives teens the option to inform a trusted adult when they report harmful or inappropriate content. Finally, the Wind Down feature interrupts the feed of users under 16 with calming prompts after 10 PM. These full-screen reminders encourage rest and reflection, and align with TikTok’s behavioral science-informed approach to digital wellness.
Family Pairing
Time Away
Wind Down Reminder with Guided Meditation
Smarter For You Feed Controls for a More Personalized Experience
To complement Family Pairing, TikTok is rolling out new ways for users to manage their content experience more thoughtfully. Smart Keyword Filtering enables users to block specific phrases, topics, or hashtags from appearing on their For You Feed, providing a powerful way to control exposure to unwanted or sensitive content.
Smart Keyword Filtering
TikTok has also launched a For You Feed Educational Guide to help users better understand how their feed is curated and how they can personalize it responsibly. These tools not only give users more control but also echo the core message of #ThinkTwice: to think critically about the content they consume, engage with, and share.
Manage Topics
These tools and resources reflect TikTok’s proactive approach to online safety, built on ongoing collaboration with families, experts, and communities. TikTok aims to make it easier for families to connect, for teens to develop healthy digital habits, and for every user to enjoy a safer, more personalized experience on the platform.
About TikTok
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok has global offices including Los Angeles, Mountain View, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo. www.tiktok.com.
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