TikTok is trying somehow to strengthen the protection of minors on its platform, while two little girls have just lost their lives trying to reproduce a dangerous challenge. The social network is testing a function to limit access to a stream to adult users only.
In recent months, the image of TikTok has been tainted by several controversies, linked in particular to dangerous challenges or which push to commit illegal actions. We remember, for example, this challenge which invited users to steal objects within their school. Much more serious this time, we learned this Wednesday, July 6, 2022 that two girls aged 8 and 9 had lost their lives while attempting a dangerous challenge.
In November 2021, TikTok had however declared that it was doing everything possible to strengthen the detection of these risky challenges… But obviously, these efforts are not enough. However, and according to images shared by the research firm Watchful.ai, TikTok is currently testing a new feature allowing to limit access to livestreams to adult users aged 18 and over.
Also read: TikTok bans videos featuring eating disorders and attacking transgender people
Tiktok wants to prevent children from accessing adult content
The social network has confirmed that this parameter is in the test phase with a few users. As demonstrated by the few screenshots relayed by the app, users will be able to activate a “Mature themes” button to block access to their streams to minors.
Please note, however, that this 18+ restriction does not represent a way for users to stream adult content. Rather, it’s a way for creators to prevent minors from stumbling across content that’s intended for mature audiences or may not be of interest to them. A few months ago, TikTok said it wanted to develop a system to identify and restrict access to certain types of content for teenagers.
“We’ve heard directly from our creators that sometimes they have a desire to reach only a specific older audience. For example, they can create comedy with adult humor, or offer boring advice for children about the professional world. Or talk about very difficult life experiences”, explains Tracy Elizabeth, head of policy for TikTok in the United States. “Given the diversity of topics covered, we are testing ways to empower creators to reach the intended audience of their specific content”. For now, we don’t know when this feature will be available in France.
Source : TechCrunch
