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TikTok Adds Well-Being Updates and Guides

More resources for users' mental health

By Allison Murray Allison Murray Tech News Reporter Southern Illinois University Allison reports on all things tech. She's a news junky that keeps her eye on the latest trends. Allison is a writer working out of Chicago, IL, with her only coworker: her cat Norbert. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 15, 2021 12:24PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Social Media Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming TikTok announced a slew of new well-being resources to support users on the platform. In a blog post published on Tuesday, the company detailed new ways to prioritize the well-being of its users. Updates and additions coming to the app include an expanded guide on eating disorders and suicide, expanded search interventions for triggering words or phrases, and updated warning labels for sensitive content. Getty Images/Chesnot TikTok also said it developed the well-being guides experts from organizations like the International Association for Suicide Prevention, Crisis Text Line, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), and the Butterfly Foundation. In addition, TikTok also announced in-app programming this week that will include curated content from these partner organizations to explore more issues surrounding well-being. "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," TikTok wrote in its blog post. While TikTok users should benefit from these well-being updates, one of the app’s competitors, Instagram, is currently in hot water over how it's perceived by some to harms users’ mental health. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal published this week, users repeatedly said they thought the platform was harmful to them, especially users who were teenage girls, and the company is keenly aware that it’s a problem for this group. We're inspired by how our community openly, honestly, and creatively shares about important issues such as mental well-being or body image... Instagram responded to the findings by saying, “Social media isn’t inherently good or bad for people. Many find it helpful one day and problematic the next. What seems to matter most is how people use social media, and their state of mind when they use it.” However, TikTok addressing mental well-being in partnership with established organizations might set a new precedent with social media companies in how they handle users' mental health. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire The 30 Best Podcasts of 2022 What Is the Digital Divide? Best Shows on HBO Max Right Now (September 2022) Is Myspace Dead or Does It Still Exist? The 10 Best Alcohol Apps in 2022 What Is Shadow Banning? The Pros and Cons of Social Media 19 Cool Websites to Look at When Bored 8 Great Sites for Geeky Gifts How Justine Griffin Helped Usher in the Era of The Music Streamer What Does it Mean to 'Tag' Something or Someone? Use Twitter’s New Soft Block to Sidestep Abusers Without Enraging Them What Is Microblogging? Why AOC’s Twitch Takeover Signals a New Political Era What is Byte and How Does it Work? Why Long-Form Videos Won't Work for Social Media Anymore Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies