TikTok will soon begin restricting accounts posting "problematic" and sexually suggestive content on the platform as part of its effort to keep the site healthy for children and underage users.
In an update to its Community Guidelines, TikTok will be reducing visibility of "certain type of content" in the "For You" page to prioritize "our approach to safeguarding and diversifying recommendations."
Among the additions to restricted content include dieting, extreme fitness, sadness, sexually suggestive, and overgeneralized mental health advice.
Yes, even sharing sad quotes en masse could lead an account to be branded as not suitable for the general audience.
TikTok to Limit Visibility of Underage Users on FYP
Video content by users under 16 years old will also have reduced visibility on the platform, although the accounts and posts may still be accessed when searched.
To let a creator know that they are affected by the changes, TikTok will also be launching its "Account Check" program "to quickly audit their account and their last 30 posts," determining whether "they are in good standing on TikTok."
Users will be notified about the status of their posts, as well as the changes needed to be done on their accounts to lift the restriction.
The changes are set to be implemented on May 17.
TikTok Heightens Guardrails on Online Child Protection Policies
The new Community Guidelines policies are only the first out of many rules TikTok is planning to roll out following its meeting with the Senate last February.
TikTok and Meta have been particularly targeted during the hearing for exposing children to sexual predators, online harassment, and disturbing content.
This is on top of much earlier concerns presented against the platforms for promoting fitness influencers advocating for extreme diet methods to impressionable viewers.
In response, TikTok has promised to improve its policies to better protect underage users on the platform per US laws for social platforms.
The platform has been earlier reported of discussing future platform changes with youth advocacy groups and online safety teams amid government scrutiny.
