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TikTok Introduces New Teen Wellness Feature Amid Legal Challenges
2025-05-16

A significant step toward enhancing user well-being has been unveiled by TikTok, as the platform introduces a meditation tool designed specifically for younger audiences. This new initiative aims to address concerns about the app's influence on adolescent mental health. By incorporating mindfulness techniques into nightly routines, TikTok seeks to encourage healthier digital habits among teens. For users under 18, an automatic activation of the "Meditation in Sleep Hours" feature will occur if they remain active past 10 p.m., offering guided sessions to promote relaxation and better sleep.

Expanding beyond teen-focused features, TikTok is also rolling out options for adult users who wish to engage with similar tools. Through the Screen Time settings page, adults can manually activate this calming function. Additionally, the company has pledged financial support to global mental health organizations, donating $2.3 million in ad credits. These developments coincide with mounting legal pressures from various quarters, including allegations that TikTok fosters addictive behaviors and mishandles personal data. Criticism extends to claims that the platform exploits minors' information without proper consent mechanisms.

Beyond its technological advancements, TikTok faces scrutiny over broader societal impacts. Public figures and government officials alike have expressed worries about how prolonged use might exacerbate issues like anxiety and depression among young people. Despite these challenges, TikTok maintains it implements protective measures for its younger demographic while collaborating closely with regulatory bodies. Meanwhile, ongoing litigation continues to test the boundaries of privacy laws and corporate responsibility within the tech industry. In response to such criticisms, TikTok emphasizes its commitment to fostering safe environments where creativity thrives alongside wellness.

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