TikTok has introduced a new TikTok group chat feature that allows users to message up to 32 people at once, keeping conversations within the TikTok app rather than relying on external messaging platforms. The feature, announced on August 13, 2024, is available to users aged 16 and older, providing them with a convenient way to share TikTok videos with friends and family directly within the app. This addition marks a significant step for TikTok as it continues to enhance its social features, aiming to keep users engaged on the platform.
To start a TikTok group chat, users can select the Inbox button, tap Chat, choose the friends they want to include, and then click “Start group chat.” However, there are some limitations to ensure privacy and safety. Users can only join a group chat if they are invited by someone they follow back. Additionally, if a user has set their messaging settings not to allow messages from anyone on the platform, they won’t receive any group chat invitations. This ensures that users maintain control over who can contact them, reflecting TikTok’s ongoing efforts to prioritize user safety, particularly for younger users.
For teens under 18, TikTok has implemented stricter rules to safeguard their online interactions. Teen users can only join a TikTok group chat if it includes at least one person who follows them back. Furthermore, teens who create a group chat must manually review and approve each person who wants to join, giving them an extra layer of control over their interactions. These measures are part of TikTok’s broader strategy to protect younger users, following the company’s decision in 2020 to disable direct messages for users under 16.
Alongside group chats, TikTok is rolling out custom stickers that users aged 18 and up can create and upload to the platform. This feature adds a fun, personalized element to messaging on TikTok, allowing users to express themselves creatively while interacting with others. The introduction of custom stickers is likely to enhance user engagement, providing an additional incentive for users to stay within the TikTok ecosystem for their social interactions.
While TikTok may be arriving late to the group messaging scene compared to other platforms like Messenger or WhatsApp, the new TikTok group chat 2024 feature is a welcome addition for its vast user base. It simplifies the process of sharing content, saving users the step of switching to another app to share a funny or interesting TikTok video. By integrating more social features directly into the TikTok app, TikTok continues to solidify its position as a comprehensive social media platform, catering to the diverse needs of its users while maintaining a focus on safety and user control.
