TikTok Defends 50+ Preset Safety Settings for Under-16 Users Amid EU Restrictions

According to CNBC, TikTok's director of public policy Ali Law defended the platform's safety measures on Tuesday as the European Union advances restrictions on children's social media access. Law stated that TikTok employs over 50 preset safety settings for users under 16, including a one-hour screen time limit and a 10 p.m. screen takeover feature prompting users to take a break. The platform also restricts direct messaging and TikTok Shop access for younger users.

Law emphasized that TikTok invested $2 billion in trust and safety last year to ensure young people maintain a healthy relationship with the app. The statement comes as EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Monday that the region will pursue age limits for social media platforms, describing them as "not a toy" and rejecting "predatory algorithms" in children's development.