July 26, 2022 – TikTok has announced several new features to provide users with more ways to discover new content and tailor their viewing experiences to their personal preferences.
According to a press release, the latest additions to the short-video platform include “Popular” feed (a non-personalised feed of popular content appropriate for users aged 13 or older), “Keyword” mute (to filter content with specified words or hashtags from the “For You” feed), “Reset” option (to revise your recommendations), and “Dispersion” feature (expanding TikTok’s tests to diversify and safeguard recommendations globally).
TikTok is planning to introduce a system to classify content based on thematic maturity as well, particularly for younger audiences.
“The entertainment platform also plans to introduce a content classification system known as Content Levels,” reads the statement. “Content Levels is a system that classifies content that is commonly used by entertainment companies to identify how mature content is for audiences of different ages or with different tolerances of comfort for some themes.”
The system will place an additional layer of protection through classification of content that has already been moderated on the platform.
“When the platform detects that a video contains mature or complex themes, for example, fictional scenes that may be too frightening or intense for younger audiences, a maturity score will be allocated to the video to help prevent those under 18 from viewing it across the TikTok experience.”
In a statement released on July 13, TikTok said, “We understand that people may want to avoid certain categories of content based on their personal preferences. Or, for our teenage community members, some content may contain mature or complex themes that may reflect personal experiences or real-world events that are intended for older audiences.”
TikTok has time and again been subjected to scrutiny over its content moderation practices. Most recently, the company came under fire for failing to contain the controversial “Blackout Challenge” (videos featuring TikTokers who strangulate themselves until passing out), which reportedly led to the death of several teenagers. A lawsuit filed against TikTok accused the company of “pushing exceedingly and unacceptably dangerous challenges” and “programming children for the sake of corporate profits and promoting addiction”.
