‘Digital safety starts at home,’ says TikTok’s Ilunga Mpyana
TikTok’s head of Public Policy Programmes for the META, Pakistan and South Asia discusses the platform’s Family Academy initiative, how it’s helping parents and teens navigate the digital world together
15 July, 2025
TT
16
As social media becomes an integral part of family life, TikTok is stepping up its efforts to promote digital literacy and wellbeing across generations.
In this interview, Ilunga Mpyana, head of Public Policy Programmes for the Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Pakistan and South Asia at TikTok, discusses the platform’s Family Academy initiative, how it’s helping parents and teens navigate the digital world together, and why responsible digital citizenship is a shared responsibility.
What inspired the launch of the Family Academy initiative, and how does it reflect the platform’s long-term vision for digital wellbeing?
TikTok is committed to ensuring that the platform is a safe and welcoming environment where people of all backgrounds and interests can connect, share, and learn from one another in a variety of creative ways. This is where our safety measures and community guidelines shine like a beacon, protecting the platform and its users around the clock.
With over a billion monthly users worldwide, we aim to offer a space where everyone can find their niche, connect with creators, and engage with our community. Our celebration of authentic expression sets us apart, connecting people through new communities, talents, and trends while giving creators a stage to share real stories.
We live in an interconnected world where digital connection is no longer optional. It’s a fundamental part of everyday life. That’s why we hosted our Family Academy event with the belief that digital literacy and online safety aren’t just important, but essential.
We’ve taken a proactive approach to ensure our platform is not only fun and engaging but also safe and supportive for everyone, regardless of age or background. It’s not enough to create safety tools. We need to ensure that our community knows how and why to use them.
How does TikTok aim to bridge the gap between teens’ digital habits and parents’ understanding of the online world?
We believe digital safety begins with awareness and dialogue. Our goal is to support parents with the tools needed to help their teens build positive online habits. TikTok’s safety features are designed not to restrict, but to encourage open conversations and empower parents to support their teens’ digital journeys.
Tools like Family Pairing, which has been regularly enhanced since its launch, allow parents and teens to customise their safety settings based on individual needs. We also recognise that digital safety isn’t always an easy topic for teens to discuss with their parents. That’s why, when teens report content, TikTok is introducing a new option for teens to choose to alert a parent, caregiver, or other trusted adult at the same time, even if they aren’t using Family Pairing.
This holistic approach helps bridge the generational digital gap by promoting transparency, trust, and shared responsibility between parents and teens.
What are some key warning signs that a child may be struggling with digital stress, and how can families respond constructively?
Digital stress is becoming increasingly common, particularly as children and teens spend more time online for both school and socialising. Some of the most noticeable signs include sudden shifts in mood or behaviour, such as increased irritability, anxiety, or withdrawal after being online.
Sleep problems are another red flag, especially when children use screens late into the night or wake up tired and emotionally drained.
Parents might also notice a decline in focus or academic performance, or physical symptoms like headaches and eye strain. Another key indicator is what’s often called “digital clinginess”: the compulsive need to check phones, fear of missing out (FOMO), or visible distress when disconnected.
The key for families is to respond with empathy, not punishment. Open up conversations about what’s happening online. Create shared boundaries around tech use, like screen-free zones or digital curfews, and model healthy habits as adults.
It’s also crucial to help children build emotional resilience online. This means teaching them how to handle negative content, recognise unrealistic portrayals on social media, and understand the value of taking breaks. And when stress seems persistent or overwhelming, it’s perfectly appropriate to seek guidance from a child psychologist who understands the digital landscape. A collaborative, compassionate approach is far more effective than reactive discipline.
In a region where youth adoption of social media is high, what role should schools and local communities play in fostering responsible digital citizenship?
When social media becomes a central part of youth culture, it’s essential that schools and communities step up not as enforcers, but as educators and partners.
First, schools should integrate digital citizenship directly into the curriculum. This goes beyond just internet safety. We’re talking about real-world discussions on privacy, online consent, misinformation, empathy, and the long-term impact of digital footprints. These aren’t “extra” lessons — they’re modern-day life skills.
But schools shouldn’t go it alone. Students are powerful messengers for their own generation. Empowering them through peer-led initiatives or ambassador programmes can help foster a culture of digital kindness and accountability. When young people see their peers promoting healthy online behaviour, it tends to resonate more deeply.
Local communities also play a vital role. Hosting public workshops for parents, offering training on emerging platforms, and encouraging youth-driven digital wellness campaigns can all help bridge generational gaps.
Ultimately, fostering digital citizenship is a collective effort. It requires a community that listens, learns, and leads with intention and not fear. When done right, it helps raise a generation that is not only tech-savvy, but ethically and emotionally equipped to thrive in digital spaces.
What safety features does TikTok offer, and could you share more details about the latest tools introduced specifically for teenagers?
For us, safety doesn’t have a finish line. It is a continuous effort. We want teens to feel empowered, not overwhelmed, and at the same time, we want parents to feel confident that their teens are navigating a platform designed with their well-being in mind.
User accounts aged 13 and above come with built-in safeguards, such as default private settings and restricted interactions, to help create a safe space for self-expression. We’re also giving families more tools to manage healthy usage. From customisable screen time limits to a new wind-down feature that encourages users under 18 to switch off after 10pm, we’re creating moments of pause that promote balance and mindfulness.
Our Family Pairing tools have evolved to offer over 15 customisable features, including daily screen time limits, “Time Away” schedules, visibility into teen networks (followers, blocked accounts), and a default 60-minute limit for teens, with passcode unlocks for parent-set limits. Teens can also alert a trusted adult when they report content.
Beyond “Not Interested” and “Report” features, the platform offers Comment Filters & Restrictions where users can limit comments, mute certain words, or even restrict who interacts with their content.
With our Family Pairing features, we’ve been able to proudly reach over 400 million people globally with information needed to implement safer digital habits, and support more than 850,000 teens and families in setting up guardrails based on their own individual needs.
For us, building a safer future means being proactive, not reactive. It means designing experiences with safety at the core, especially for teens and families. We’re committed to making sure the platform stays fun, inspiring, and above all, safe.
