TikTok tests “sleep reminders” feature to help manage screen time for users

It is an irrefutable fact that a lot of young people spend long hours on TikTok and even forget to get a decent amount of sleep each day. An estimated two in three teenagers regularly sleep less than the recommended amount, and screen time may be responsible for sleep deprivation and other problems.

According to research conducted by sleep science and review platform Sleep Junkie, TikTok is one of worst culprits that is most disruptive to your sleep cycle overall. In light of this, TikTok says it is continuously working on new ways to support users’ well-being. It first launched screen time management tools in February 2020, and has since introduced additional features aimed at giving users more control over their app usage.

TikTok is again testing a new screen management feature – sleep reminders – to help its users manage the time they spend on the platform. TikTok is reportedly testing the new feature with select users globally.

This new feature allows a user set up alerts when it is bedtime and to mute notifications during recommended seven hours of sleep.

Screenshots from Product intelligence firm Watchful.ai show that the new feature appears under the “screen time” settings in the app.

Users who are part of the test will see a new “sleep reminders” option. The app says sleep reminders will help you “know if you reach your sleep time on TikTok to help you get to bed when you want to.” After you select a sleep time, you will be reminded to close the app when the clock reaches that time. TikTok will also mute push notifications for seven hours after your sleep time to help you avoid distractions.

TikTok’s Screen Time Management setting, which is part of the Digital Wellbeing portion of the app, helps anyone manage their ideal screen time by choosing a time cap that can be locked behind a four-digit passcode.

To access the Screen Time Management tool: 

• From the “Privacy and setting” page tap “Digital Wellbeing”
• Tap “Screen Time Management” 
• Choose your desired time limit and tap the red button at the bottom