Short-form video app TikTok is set to enhance users’ well-being by introducing a new ‘sleep reminders’ feature.
The social media company is currently testing a new sleep reminders feature that will alert users when it is bedtime.
The feature which is being tested globally when fully launched will be found in the app’s screen time settings which will enable users to set sleep reminders.
After selecting sleep time, users will be reminded to close the app when the clock reaches the selected time.
To further ensure that users are not interrupted during their sleep, TikTok will mute push notifications for seven hours after their sleep time, to help them avoid distractions.
Investors King understands that TikTok was spurred to roll out this sleep reminder feature, following reports that its users most especially teenagers are addicted to it which often makes them sleep late at night causing a lot of health challenges.
A survey carried out by the American Academy of sleep medicine revealed that 93% of Gen Z have lost their sleep because of Social media, most especially TikTok.
However, TikTok has been constantly implementing and introducing new features to enhance users’ experience as well as curb addiction.
In February 2020, the social media app used its most popular influencers to tell its young users to stop scrolling and go outside to curb addiction.
These influencers who often have thousands or millions of followers, make videos that are posted and then promoted by the account @TikTok Tips, which is run by the site.
The video contains advice, telling users about the benefits of logging off and putting down their phones.
In 2021, TikTok acted on teen safety bedtime by preventing teenagers from receiving notifications past their bedtime. It ensured that teenage users between the ages of 13 and 15, do not receive notifications after 9 pm.
Also in June 2022, TikTok launched an in-app tool that helps users control how much they spend on the platform in a single sitting, by allowing them to schedule regular screen time breaks.
The short-form video platform has been commended on several occasions for showing industry leadership when it comes to protecting teenagers and also helping to curb addiction.
