TikTok tests age restrictions on content

TikTok is working on ways to sort and restrict content by age group in order to prevent adult content from reaching its app’s teen users, the company said at a press conference.

TikTok, which has exploded in popularity among teens in recent years, claimed it was conducting a small test on how content rated for adults could be restricted from accounts owned by younger users, either by the user or their parents and guardians.

The company, owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, said it was building on the types of content rating standards already used for movies and games. The platform would test a way for creators to specify in the app whether they want their content to be seen only by older audiences.

TikTok, which has been criticized for posts promoting eating disorders even as it removes such content, said in a post on Tuesday that it would also begin banning posts that promote broader content on the subject.

“We understand that people can struggle with unhealthy eating patterns and behaviors without having an eating disorder diagnosis,” he said in the post.

“Our goal is to recognize more symptoms, such as excessive exercise or short-term fasting, which are often underrecognized signs of a potential problem.”