TikTok launches #ThinkTwice guide

TikTok has launched its #ThinkTwice Family Guide in the Philippines to help parents and teenagers develop safer online habits through open communication and practical digital safety tools.

Developed with Child Rights Coalition-Asia, Child Rights Network and Plan International Pilipinas, the guide includes conversation starters, reflection activities, safety tips and information on TikTok’s privacy and safety features.

“For many families today, digital life is no longer separate from everyday life. It’s where young people learn, socialize, create and discover who they are,” TikTok Philippines Public Policy head Yves Gonzalez said.

“Building healthier digital habits requires more than rules alone. It requires open conversations, mutual understanding, and practical tools that families can explore together,” he added.

The guide complements TikTok’s more than 50 preset safety and privacy features for teen accounts, including private accounts, content restrictions and a default daily screen time limit of 60 minutes.

Council for the Welfare of Children Undersecretary Angelo Tapales said digital parenting should focus on trust rather than monitoring every activity of young people online.

“Digital parenting is not about knowing every application or monitoring every click. Hindi po sila [the parents] mga security guards or police ng digital spaces,” Tapales said.

Plan International Pilipinas Program Manager Sheila Estabillo similarly said parents do not need to become “technology police.”

“What matters more is becoming a trusted digital guide, someone your teen can turn to when something uncomfortable or confusing happens online,” Estabillo said.

Child Rights Coalition Asia Regional Executive Director Amihan Abueva said relationships built offline can also influence how comfortable teenagers are discussing their experiences online with parents.

The #ThinkTwice Family Guide is available through TikTok’s Digital Check-In Hub and can also be found by searching digital safety-related terms within the app.