TikTok rolls out guided meditation feature to promote better screen habits

TikTok is stepping up efforts to support healthier screen time among its users, particularly teenagers, with the launch of a new guided meditation feature that activates after 10 PM. The update forms part of the platform’s wider digital wellness initiative aimed at reducing excessive nighttime scrolling.

The feature automatically kicks in for users under 18, offering calming meditation sessions designed to help them unwind and step away from the app. It builds on TikTok’s earlier “wind down” trial, which featured only soothing music and was limited to users under 16. That pilot saw an encouraging response—98 percent of teens chose to keep it on after first use—prompting the company to expand its offering.

Now, rather than just background sounds, users will be guided through short mindfulness exercises, reinforcing healthier bedtime routines. The new prompts appear as a reminder at 10 PM, escalating to a full-screen meditation prompt if the user continues browsing.

Though designed primarily for teenagers, the meditation tool isn’t exclusive to younger users. Adults can also access it by enabling the “Sleep Hours” feature in TikTok’s Screen Time settings, giving them the option to establish their own digital boundaries.

This move comes as TikTok faces mounting scrutiny in the U.S., with a looming deadline of June 19 to divest its American operations or risk a nationwide ban. Even under regulatory pressure, the platform is continuing to introduce features that support mental well-being and responsible screen use.

The new meditation tool follows the March launch of “Time Away,” a parental control feature allowing guardians to manage screen time during specific hours. Both tools reflect TikTok’s growing focus on digital safety and mental health, particularly for its younger audience.

With these initiatives, TikTok is positioning itself not just as an entertainment platform, but as one that recognises its role in promoting digital balance and mental wellness.