TikTok has introduced two new features

Short video platform TikTok is introducing new features for its direct messages. Group chats and stickers are added. However, the functions are limited for younger users.

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With group chats, TikTok is fulfilling a long-awaited wish of its community. A group can include up to 32 people who, according to TikTok, can simultaneously watch videos, comment on them, and react to them in real time. The platform says this makes interactions more dynamic and connected.

Group chat only for users aged 16 and over

However, group chats, like direct messages, are only available to users aged 16 and over. TikTok also limits functions for this target group to those under 18. In particular, the service wants to prevent communication with strangers. Specifically, this means that only people who follow each other can add themselves to a group chat – TikTok refers to friends here. If someone under 18 receives an invitation via the link, he or she can only join the group if at least one person from his or her own TikTok friends circle is already a member of the group. Young people also have to manually confirm their membership first. If teens create a group themselves, other people can only join if they are manually confirmed, The company says,

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TikTok also makes it possible to mute, block, or report other people’s messages and chats. The number of groups a person can create is limited, as well as the number of messages that can be forwarded.

TikTok offers another new feature to its community with stickers. Users can create and upload stickers themselves so that everyone can use them. If you don’t want to be creative yourself, you can also use existing stickers.

TikTok recently permanently shut down its TikTok Lite reward program in Europe. With the reward program, which until then only existed in France and Spain, the platform rewarded users for interactions with virtual currency, which they could exchange for real vouchers. The EU Commission saw a risk of addiction and intervened for reasons of protection of minors.

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