Social media giant, TikTok has announced it will restrict hosting certain content and live streaming to certain age limits. TikTok has announced it will introduce an adults-only option for users who prefer live-streaming content on the platform. These users will be given the opportunity of restricting their viewership to viewers who are 18 years and above.
According to a statement by TikTok, the company aims to protect its users and creators and also support their well-being by “constantly working to evolve the safeguards we put in place”
Currently, to host a live video on TikTok, users must be aged 16 years and above, an earlier plan which was aimed at targeting teenagers, a group which makes up a significant percentage of the app users.
From November 23, 2022, TikTok will increase the minimum age at which users can host a live video to 18 years.
In order to be able to access the direct messaging feature on the app, teenage users need to be aged 16 and above and must age 18 years and above to send virtual gifts or access the monetization features.
TikTok also announced it has introduced a fresh plan for creators to have an option of reaching an audience of a certain age grade for their live videos.
TikTok’s new announcement, however, does not create an avenue for explicitly adult content just as other non-regulated platforms do but is just an avenue to streamline content which may be overly harmful to kids.
While TikTok community guidelines have already made it clear the app does not allow nudity, pornography, or sexually explicit content, the app also confirmed all live videos which have been categorized as ‘Adult’ must be screened and made to pass the community standards.