TikTok has rolled out a new “Sleep Hours” feature, mandating it for users under 18 while keeping it optional for adults. The function activates a guided meditation prompt after 10 p.m., with a second, harder-to-skip nudge if ignored.
Though seemingly soft in enforcement, the company says 98% of teens kept the feature on during testing.
Social media’s addictive design is well-documented. “Many social media actions trigger a dopamine reward,” Psychology Today notes, while apps may also induce cortisol spikes, linking platforms like TikTok to stress, trauma, and even sleep disruption.
TikTok’s move could be viewed as a response to criticism, especially amid the threat of a U.S. ban. “Companies do, in fact, have options to tamp down negative trends… but choose to leave users to their own devices,” the article says.
Soft limits like Sleep Hours may be a model for apps like Instagram or Snapchat. Still, as long as ad revenue drives decisions, “it’s important to put pressure on them where we can” to prioritize user health over profits.