TikTok Details Several Well-Being Updates

TikTok detailed several updates and resources related to the well-being of its users. Director of policy, TikTok U.S. Tara Wadhwa wrote in a blog post Tuesday, “We're inspired by how our community openly, honestly and creatively shares about important issues such as mental well-being or body image, and how they lift each other up and lend help during difficult times. We care deeply about our community, and we always look for new ways in which we can nurture their well-being. That's why we're taking additional steps to make it easier for people to find resources when they need them on TikTok.” Wadhwa pointed out that while TikTok does not allow content glorifying, normalizing or promoting eating disorders, self-harm or suicide, it does support people who want to share related experiences in order to raise awareness and help others who might be experiencing similar issues. TikTok rolled out new well-being guides on its Safety Center with guidance from Crisis Text Line, the International Association for Suicide Prevention, Live for Tomorrow, Samaritans of Singapore and Samaritans (U.K.) to help people responsibly engage with someone who may be struggling or in distress. In-application curated content from TikTok’s partner organizations will run through Sept. 16. TikTok also teamed up with Bodywhys, Butterfly Foundation, the National Eating Disorder Information Centre and the National Eating Disorders Association on a guide on eating disorders for caregivers, educators and teens, located on its Safety Center. NEDA interim CEO Elizabeth Thompson wrote in the TikTok blog post, "In the U.S., 30 million Americans will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives. The NEDA commends TikTok for continuing to find ways to both support its community and bring awareness to these serious, yet treatable, illnesses. These new resources will make information easily accessible on TikTok." TikTok had already been directing users who search for phrases or words such as suicide to local support resources, including the Crisis Text Line helpline, and the platform will add content from creators sharing their personal experience with mental well-being. Videos from those creators will appear in search results for terms related to self-harm or suicide. Crisis Text Line senior director of business development Maggie Farah wrote in the blog post, "Through its partnership with TikTok, Crisis Text Line is able to provide access to free, 24/7 crisis counseling via text to anyone who finds themselves in crisis; however, they define it. TikTok reaches millions of people, so we know these changes will have a profound impact and help many people move from a hot moment to a cool calm." In another update to search, when people search terms that some users may find distressing, such as “scary makeup,” the search results page will be covered with an opt-in viewing screen, and users who wish to proceed can tap “show results” to see the content. The same opt-in viewing screens already appear atop videos that some may find distressing or graphic, and content of this sort is ineligible for recommendation in users’ For You feed. Wadhwa concluded, “We’re proud that our platform has become a place where people can share their personal experiences with mental well-being, find community and support each other, and we take very seriously our responsibility to keep TikTok a safe space for these important conversations.”

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TikTok Details Several Well-Being Updates

The video creation platform focuses on eating disorders, self-harm, suicide

David Cohen

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