TikTok Rewards Healthy Habits with New Well-Being Features

TikTok has introduced a sweeping set of digital well-being features aimed at curbing doomscrolling and fostering healthier habits among users, especially teens. The update overhauls the platform’s screen time management with tools like an affirmation journal, a sound generator for soothing audio, breathing exercises, and a system of badges awarded for mindful usage and completing well-being missions.techcrunch+4​

New Features for Healthy Usage

TikTok’s redesigned Time and Well-being section now includes:

• An in-app affirmation journal with more than 120 positive prompts to encourage reflection and intention-setting.findarticles+2​

• A sound generator playing calming sounds such as rain and ocean waves.mashable+2​

• Breathing exercise modules to facilitate relaxation.findarticles+1​

Gamified Well-Being and Badges

To motivate users to manage their time well, TikTok has launched well-being “missions.” Users earn badges for:

• Staying off the app during designated sleep hours.

• Using meditation tools or completing breathing exercises.

• Setting and adhering to daily screen time limits.

• Viewing their weekly screen time reports or inviting others to join the well-being missions.tech.yahoo+3​

Early tests reveal that users are more engaged with this new well-being space compared to the previous version, with the affirmation journal being the most popular tool. TikTok’s approach reflects academic research suggesting that overly restrictive screen time controls can be counterproductive for teens; the company instead favors positive reinforcement.newsroom.tiktok+1​

Addressing Parental and Regulatory Concerns

The move seeks to balance user enjoyment with safety, offering parents enhanced control features and providing teens with supportive digital tools. Experts note that by making well-being support interactive and visible within the app—especially when teens use TikTok late at night or reach time limits—these features can be more engaging than those of competitors.news.bryant+3​

Wider Context

Major social platforms like Meta, YouTube, and Discord have also ramped up their safety and well-being offerings in recent months, with TikTok’s update centralizing support and self-care in an interactive, user-friendly hub.techcrunch+1​

TikTok’s initiative signals an industry trend toward gamified, supportive digital wellness rather than strict limitations—setting a new standard for how platforms encourage balanced online habits.findarticles+2