TikTok will now give you badges for limiting your doomscrolling

TikTok is introducing a new set of digital well-being tools — including an affirmation journal and a calming sound generator — designed to support users’ mental health and encourage healthier screen habits. As part of this rollout, the platform will also begin awarding badges to users who keep their TikTok usage within set limits.

The company is updating its existing screen time management page with a redesigned layout and additional features. Among the new additions are an affirmation journal offering more than 120 positive prompts to help users set their intentions for the day, a sound generator that plays soothing ambience such as ocean waves or rain, and a guided breathing exercise section. This refreshed page will also include creator content focused on reducing screen time, using parental tools effectively, and personalising the TikTok feed.

A central highlight of the update is a new badge system that rewards healthy usage patterns, particularly among younger users. TikTok said it consulted academic research on digital well-being and found that overly strict restrictions can actually harm teens, prompting a more balanced approach.

Image Credits: TikTok

To earn badges, users complete different “missions.” For example, avoiding app usage during late-night hours counts toward the sleep mission, while engaging with the new mindfulness and meditation tools also contributes. Users who set daily screen time limits and stay within them can earn a badge as well. Additional badges are available for checking weekly activity reports or inviting others to take part in these well-being challenges.

During early testing of the redesigned well-being page, TikTok observed more visits than its previous screen time menu. The affirmation journal was the most commonly used feature. The platform also noted that it will show a link to these tools when someone is scrolling at night or after they’ve reached their daily limit.

This move follows TikTok’s expanded parental controls introduced in July, which allow guardians to block specific accounts and receive alerts when teens post public videos or stories. Over the past month, several major tech platforms — including Meta, YouTube, OpenAI, and Discord — have also rolled out updated safety features to improve teen protection.