How to Use TikTok’s New Anti-Bullying Tools
An unfortunate side effect of the success of any social media platform is the correlated rise in cyberbullying and harassment, and TikTok is no exception.
Fortunately, the company has begun implementing new anti-bullying strategies to keep its users safe, starting with stricter anti-bullying and cyberbullying policies introduced in December 2020. The latest part of TikTok’s anti-bullying initiative are two new features aimed at reducing malicious comments. …
Comment approval
The first is a new option for approving comments. TikTok already allows users to filter comments by keyword to prevent users from posting insults, profanity, or other problematic content in your videos, but the app can now hide all new comments until you review and approve them. Those approved by you will be publicly visible in the comments section of the video, and those disapproved will not be published at all.
To find and enable the new comment viewer in the TikTok app:
- Open your TikTok profile.
- Tap the “…” icon.
- Go to Privacy & Security> Who Can Comment on My Videos.
- Select Comment Filters.
- Turn on “Filter all comments”.
To view a list of all pending comments, return to the Comment Filters menu and click View Filtered Comments. Tap a comment, then choose whether to delete or approve it.
Preventive Tips to Deal with Bullying
In addition to the new comment viewer, TikTok now automatically checks comments before a user posts them.
If the app’s AI recognizes a language that is against TikTok’s policies, the app warns users that their comment may be in violation of the rules and gives them the option to edit or reject the comment.
However, users will not be prevented from writing potentially harmful comments – users can ignore TikTok requests to revise and post their comment. If they do, hopefully the advanced comment filter will prevent these rude responses from appearing in the comment section. However, the company hopes this extra step will reduce the incidence of harassment – and overall negativity – on its platform.
[ Engadget ]