TikTok is a popular social media app where users can watch, create, and share short videos. With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok has become one of the fastest growing apps worldwide. Users typically spend a significant amount of time scrolling through an endless stream of entertaining and funny videos on the platform.
While TikTok can be highly addictive and fun to use, spending too much time on the app has raised concerns over digital wellbeing. Studies have found associations between high social media usage and negative outcomes like depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation, and loneliness. Many users want to track their TikTok usage to gain awareness of their habits and set responsible screen time limits.
Viewing Time Spent in App
TikTok allows users to see how much time they are spending in the app by checking their “Screen Time” in Settings. This shows you your daily average time spent as well as your weekly and monthly totals. To view your Screen Time on TikTok:
- Open the TikTok app on your iPhone or Android device.
- Tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Go to Settings and tap on “Digital Wellbeing.”
- Under “Your Screen Time,” you will see your daily average, as well as weekly and monthly totals.
This Screen Time tracker provides an overview of your TikTok usage to help you monitor and manage your time in the app. Keeping an eye on Screen Time can be helpful for gaining awareness around your digital habits.
Viewing Daily Time Limit
TikTok automatically sets a 60 minute per day time limit for all users under the age of 18 as part of their approach to digital wellbeing (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/new-features-for-teens-and-families-on-tiktok-us). This limit aims to encourage teens to take breaks and manage their screentime. Users between ages 13-15 have a stricter limit of 40 minutes per day.
To view your current daily time limit in the TikTok app, tap on your profile picture in the bottom right and select “Settings and privacy.” Then choose “Digital Wellbeing” and you will see your “Daily Screen Time Limit” listed at the top of the page.
This shows the total minutes per day you are allowed to spend on TikTok. The default is 60 minutes, but users can request to change their limit. Parents can also override the limit through TikTok’s Family Pairing feature.
Checking Screen Time
TikTok has a built-in Screen Time dashboard that allows you to view your weekly screen time spent in the app. To access it on iOS or Android:
- Open the TikTok app and tap on your profile icon in the bottom right.
- Go to Settings and Privacy.
- Select “Screen Time” from the menu.
Here you will find stats on your weekly TikTok usage, including:
- Total time spent in the app that week
- Number of times you opened the app that week
- Your daily average time spent in the app
- How your weekly usage compares to the previous week
You can tap on a specific day to see your hourly usage for that day. This can help identify patterns in how much time you spend on TikTok and decide if you need to cut back.
The Screen Time dashboard provides an easy way to monitor your TikTok usage right within the app. Checking it regularly allows you to be more mindful of how much time you’re spending watching videos.
Using Third-Party Apps
There are many third-party apps available to help track time spent on apps and devices. One of the most popular for iOS is Moment, which tracks how much time you spend on each app and can display it in easy-to-read charts and graphs. Moment runs in the background and monitors app usage on your iPhone or iPad. It tracks how many times you pick up your device, how many notifications you get, and how much time you spend on each app.
Other app trackers for iOS include Offtime, Space, AppDetox, Flipd and Freedom. These apps offer features like setting time limits for app usage, scheduling “Off” times where your phone locks certain apps, and providing motivation to reduce your screen time. There are also app tracking and time limit options built into iOS under Screen Time in your settings.
For Android, some top third party time tracking apps include QualityTime, StayFree, App Usage, AppDetox, and Flipd. These provide usage insights, scheduling and time constraints, app blocking and more. The Digital Wellbeing settings in Android also have built in tools for tracking app time and limiting usage.
Reducing Usage
If you find yourself spending too much time on TikTok and want to cut back, there are several ways to monitor and reduce your usage:
Set app limits – Both iPhone and Android allow you to set daily time limits for apps like TikTok. Once the limit is reached, the app will be locked for the rest of the day.
Enable screen time passcode – To prevent yourself from simply overriding the limit, you can set a screen time passcode. This will require a 4-digit passcode to be entered to extend time.
Delete the app – Simply deleting TikTok from your phone is an effective way to stop mindless scrolling. You can always redownload it later if you change your mind.
Turn off notifications – Disabling TikTok’s notifications removes temptation cues that pull you back into the app.
Log out of your account – Logging out adds an extra step before accessing TikTok, allowing you to pause and consider if you really want to use it.
Find substitutes – Replace mindless TikTok browsing with more meaningful activities, like reading, exercising, spending time outdoors, or connecting with friends.
Seek support – If you’re concerned about overuse or addiction, talk to a counselor or join an internet addiction support group.
Parental Controls
TikTok offers parental control features that allow parents to restrict and monitor their child’s TikTok usage. The main parental control tool is called Family Pairing. With Family Pairing, parents can:
- Set screen time limits for how long their teen can spend on TikTok each day
- Restrict the appearance of inappropriate or mature content
- Limit who can comment on their teen’s videos
- Disable direct messaging for their teen’s account
Family Pairing allows parents to set these restrictions remotely through their own TikTok app. Parents can also monitor the daily screen time and content their teen is engaging with. These robust controls give parents oversight over their child’s TikTok experience.
TikTok also allows parents to enable Restricted Mode, which limits the appearance of content that may be inappropriate for younger users. Enabling Restricted Mode can further protect teens from viewing mature content outside of Family Pairing controls.
By leveraging TikTok’s Family Pairing and Restricted Mode settings, parents can feel more confident about their teen using TikTok responsibly and safely.
Digital Wellbeing
Digital wellbeing has become an increasingly important concept as social media and technology usage continues to grow. It refers to developing a healthy relationship with technology and achieving a balance in how we use digital platforms like TikTok (https://www.opal.so/screentime/unlock-digital-wellbeing-how-to-manage-social-media-time-wisely). Maintaining digital wellbeing is key to ensuring technology usage does not have a negative impact on mental health, relationships, sleep, productivity, and more.
When it comes to TikTok usage specifically, it’s important to be mindful of how much time is being spent scrolling through videos each day. Setting reasonable daily time limits for oneself can help maintain balance and prevent overuse. The TikTok app has built-in screen time management tools to assist with this. Parents can also make use of parental control features to monitor and limit kids’ TikTok usage if needed. Focusing on quality of usage rather than quantity can also promote digital wellbeing.
Finding a healthy balance with TikTok usage allows one to enjoy the entertainment and connections it provides without it becoming detrimental. Prioritizing real world relationships and activities outside of the app is key. With awareness and intention, TikTok can be used in a way that promotes overall wellbeing rather than harming it (https://dmexco.com/stories/digital-wellbeing-definition-and-tips/).
Signs of Overuse
It’s easy to lose track of time scrolling through TikTok. While occasional use is harmless, overuse can become problematic. Here are some signs that TikTok use may be excessive or addictive:
Spending several hours per day on TikTok and finding it difficult to put your phone down or stop scrolling. Prioritizing TikTok use over other responsibilities or activities. Continuing to use TikTok excessively even when it has negative consequences like poor sleep, low productivity, or reduced social interaction. Feeling bored, restless or irritable when not using TikTok. Using TikTok to avoid negative emotions or as an emotional crutch. Finding your thoughts constantly occupied by TikTok or ideas for new videos. Feeling depressed or anxious when unable to access TikTok.
Experiencing wrist, neck or eye strain from excessive TikTok use. Obsessively checking notifications or followers. Becoming defensive or secretive about TikTok habits. Isolating from family and friends in order to keep scrolling TikTok. Struggling to cut down TikTok use despite promises to do so.
If you recognize several of these warning signs in yourself or a loved one, it may be time to reassess TikTok habits. Consider seeking help through counseling, support groups like SAMHSA’s National Helpline, or speaking with a doctor. With some limits and balance, TikTok can be enjoyed positively.
Conclusion
It’s important to be aware of how much time you’re spending scrolling on TikTok. While the app can provide entertainment and connections, overuse can have negative effects.
TikTok offers built-in ways to view your daily time spent and set limits. You can also use your device’s screen time settings or third-party apps to monitor usage. For parents, TikTok has robust controls to manage kids’ accounts.
Being mindful of your TikTok habit is smart. Make sure it’s not cutting into sleep, work, real-world relationships or your overall wellbeing. TikTok should enhance your life, not become a mindless addiction. Keep your usage in check for a healthy relationship with the app.
