Local parents react to TikTok's new screen time restrictions for teens

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TikTok sets one-hour screen time limit for teens

TikTok announced changes Wednesday that are designed to help teens manage their time while using the app. Among other things, every account belonging to a minor will automatically be set to a 60-minute daily screen time limit in the coming weeks. Once kids hit that one-hour mark, they’ll be prompted to enter a passcode in order to keep watching. FOX 5's Josh Rosenthal spoke to American Psychological Association Chief Science Officer Mitch Prinstein about the new changes.

TikTok announced changes Wednesday that are designed to help teens manage their time while using the app.

Among other things, every account belonging to a minor will automatically be set to a 60-minute daily screen time limit in the coming weeks. Once kids hit that one-hour mark, they’ll be prompted to enter a passcode in order to keep watching.

"I think that this is a terrific move to make sure that kids are not being driven by artificial intelligence or machine learning to spend more time than they want to online," said American Psychological Association Chief Science Officer Mitch Prinstein.

READ MORE: TikTok to limit screen time for teens to 60 minutes per day

"Research is showing that if we take the criteria for dependency on illegal substances, and we replace substance for social media, about 50% of kids are reporting at least one symptom of clinical dependency on social media," he continued. "We’re finding that kids are connected in ways that go beyond their own ability to stop themselves and that obviously is very concerning."

Most adults who spoke to FOX 5 about the change said they like the idea.

"I think it’s a good thing," Kristi Dean said.

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Local parents react to TikTok's new screen time restrictions for teens

TikTok announced new screen time restrictions for children using the app. Meanwhile, local parents and schools are grappling with underage use and setting boundaries. FOX 5's Katie Barlow has the story.

"If I’m going to have children soon, definitely going to be limiting their time. So, anything that helps," explained Carlos Mijares.

Although, some parents said they were skeptical the effort would actually work.

"They say they’re gonna limit the number one consumers of their product. I just say prove it, I want to see that happen," said Jay Walker.

For more information about the TikTok changes, you can click here.