TikTok encourages teens to meditate instead of scrolling late at night

On May 15, 2025, TikTok announced the introduction of in-app guided meditation exercises as part of its initiative to promote mental health among young users. Targeted mainly at teens, these features are designed to discourage late-night usage of the app, especially after 10 p.m. In line with growing public concern regarding the mental health impact of social media, TikTok's meditation feature is set to activate automatically during sleeping hours for users under the age of 18. The decision comes amid scrutiny from parents and lawmakers, along with several lawsuits alleging harmful effects of the platform on young people's brains and emotions. The mediation tool is part of a broader movement by TikTok to enhance community well-being and foster healthier digital habits. During trials, it was reported that 98% of teen users kept the meditation experience enabled, indicating a positive reception among the demographic. The calming, guided prompts aim to interrupt scrolling and encourage relaxation, which aligns with expert advice promoting better sleep hygiene for adolescents. This feature is crucial, as studies suggest a significant connection between excessive screen time, especially during night hours, and deteriorating mental health conditions in teens, such as anxiety and depression. In addition to the meditation tools, TikTok announced an expansion of its Mental Health Education Fund, pledging $2.3 million in advertisement credits to numerous global mental health organizations. This move reflects TikTok's effort to mitigate criticisms surrounding its role in the social media landscape as it seeks to uphold responsibility for the welfare of its younger users. As part of this initiative, TikTok has also tested new parental control features and educational feeds to empower parents and guardians in managing their children's screen time effectively. However, despite TikTok's favorable initiatives, the platform continues to face significant legal challenges. Several lawsuits have been filed against it by state attorneys general, claiming that the app is inherently addictive and poses numerous risks, such as depression, anxiety, and other mental health-related issues. Critics argue that these features, while an attempted remedy, do not address the fundamental problems connected to excessive social media usage. The ongoing debate raises essential questions about the responsibilities of social platforms in maintaining user health and safety, particularly among vulnerable demographics like children and teenagers.