TikTok announces new features to tackle harassment and bullying

Anyone who's ever taken a trip into the comments section of a TikTok video will know that the platform has a bullying problem.

TikTok has announced new in-app features to further fight bullying and harassment, in addition to adding features to support people with eating disorders.

The Filter All Comments feature will allow creators to choose which comments will appear in the replies section. When the feature is enabled, only comments approved by the video creator will be displayed using a new comment management tool. TikTok already has an existing feature that allows users to filter out spam and harmful comments, in addition to specific keywords.

A new prompt will also appear asking users to reconsider positing comments that "may be inappropriate or unkind" or that violate TikTok's community guidelines. The prompt gives users an opportunity to edit their comment before they post it.

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TikTok creators can now filter and approve comments. Credit: tiktok

Julie de Bailliencourt, head of product policy at TikTok, EMEA, said in a statement the platform is focused on providing "an entertaining and safe experience" for users.

"Creators put amazing effort into crafting content and we think it's important that we provide ways to give our community the tools to help them control their experience," she said. "We want TikTok to continue to be a place where creativity can thrive and we hope these new features help to further foster kindness and community."

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In addition to these anti-harassment features, users will be pointed toward resources from eating disorder support non-profits when searching the hashtags #edrecovery, #proana, or other terms relating to eating disorders. Public service announcements aimed at raising awareness about eating disorder recover will now appear on hashtags like #whatieatinaday, #emotionaleatingtips, and #bingerecovery for users in the country.

Mashable has reached out to TikTok on whether this added service will be available globally.