TikTok has recently launched its global Youth Council, an initiative aimed at promoting the safety and well-being of adolescents on the platform. The council consists of 15 users between the ages of 15 and 18 from different countries, who collaborate to provide insights on creating a safe and inclusive environment on TikTok.
TikTok already offers tools such as Family Synchronization, which allows parents to link their accounts with their children’s to access privacy settings, apply content filters, and set usage limits. However, TikTok’s goal is to enhance security on the platform to ensure that young people can express themselves freely while feeling safe.
The Youth Council, along with the online security agency Praesidio Safeguarding, is responsible for representing various communities and countries where TikTok is used. Members meet regularly to discuss priorities for the year, with a focus on promoting well-being and inclusion among young users. During their meetings, they address issues such as redesigning the TikTok Youth Portal, improving information about complaints and account blocking, and enhancing educational campaigns to promote media literacy.
This initiative stems from TikTok’s continuous efforts to engage with users and implement new features to enhance safety and security on the platform. The launch of the Youth Council follows a global study conducted in collaboration with ConnectSafely involving thousands of adolescents and their guardians. The study revealed that young people have an important role in shaping online platforms prompting TikTok to create opportunities for collaboration with its users.
By working closely with the Youth Council and listening to their feedback, TikTok aims to create a safer and more inclusive environment for all its users. Initiatives like educational campaigns and media literacy efforts demonstrate the platform’s commitment to combatting misinformation