The announcement was made at a digital well-being summit currently underway in Johannesburg, where mental health practitioners, content creators, and tech leaders have gathered to tackle the darker side of constant connectivity.

The summit, hosted by TikTok in SA’s Gauteng province, aims to promote healthier online habits while spotlighting the platform’s latest safety and wellness features. Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Director for TikTok Sub-Saharan Africa, said the platform is actively building tools to help users disconnect when needed.

“Creators are at the heart of TikTok’s community, and their influence is unmatched,” said Mgwili-Sibanda in an interview. “That’s why we’re giving them the tools and training to lead this shift, from managing comments to encouraging screen time breaks and even promoting mindfulness.”

Among the key announcements was the expansion of the platform’s meditation tool, initially available only to teenage users. The feature, which encourages users to wind down during sleep hours, is now rolling out to all users globally.

TikTok is also enhancing screen time reminders, which notify users when they’ve been scrolling for extended periods and offering keyword filters and comment control settings to allow users and creators greater power over their digital space.

“There’s a real world beyond the screen, and we want our users to engage with both meaningfully,” Mgwili-Sibanda said.

With the influence of social media on mental health under increasing scrutiny, TikTok’s summit marks a notable pivot, positioning creators not just as entertainers, but as digital well-being advocates in SA’s fast-evolving online culture.
--ChannelAfrica--