To ensure better protection of young users from unwanted
content on its app, TikTok is launching new safety filters and options.
Users can block specific hashtags, as well as content
containing specific key terms within the description, using the ‘Details’ tab in
settings. However, the system will only detect manually added description
notes, hence leaving some room for errors.
Moreover, TikTok is expanding its limits on content exposure
related to potentially harmful topics, that it had launched tests of last
December. The system works by limiting the number of videos in sensitive categories
like dieting, extreme fitness, sadness, etc. in the ‘For You’ Feed.
In addition to this, TikTok is adding measures that prevent
content with overtly mature themes from reaching users aged between 13-17. According
to TikTok, “a maturity score will be allocated to the video to help prevent
those under 18 from viewing it.”
There’s also new brand safety ratings that will help
advertisers avoid running their promotions alongside potentially controversial
content.
Considering that TikTok has a pretty advanced algorithm
system, it is expected that the social platform would do a good job with
detecting potentially unsafe content. However, we’ll only find that out once
the updates are out and in effect.
