If you’re a TikTok user, you have to leave the app to talk with a group of fellow users – until now. TikTok announced that it’s updating Direct Messages by adding Group Chat and stickers.
TikTok Group Chat in Direct Messages
We all know how addictive it can be to browse TikTok videos. It’s hard to get off the app once you start. But if you want to share a new video find with your friends, you’re forced to leave the app to contact your friends in one go. Not surprisingly, TikTok found a way to keep you on the app.
Image source:
Unsplash
Even better than sharing a link inside a TikTok group chat, it appears you can watch videos together in real time. TikTok announced that Group Chat allows “you to create a shared viewing experience with friends, family, and communities. Watch, comment, and react together in real time.”
You can enjoy that shared experience with up to 32 people. Although, it seems that if you have a group of 32, that you won’t all be watching in real time. That could become a scheduling nightmare.
Tip: you can also download TikTok videos to watch them anywhere.
Keeping Teens Safe
TikTok is keeping teen safety in mind as well in the Group Chat. It’s not available to those who are 13 to 15. Those who are 16 to 17 can use it under guidance. Additionally, teens, as well as everyone else, can only be added to a chat by a friend.
Image source:
Unsplash
If teens receive a link to join a Group Chat in TikTok, they can’t join, unless there is at least one mutual friend in the chat. They also need to make a “proactive decision to join.” If they create a Group Chat, they will need to vet and approve people who join the chat.
There is also blocking and muting tools available, and messages or the entire Group Chat can be reported to TikTok if they are breaking Community Guidelines. One person can only create a certain number of groups. The number of times a join message can be forwarded is limited as well.
FYI: learn how to set up parental controls in TikTok.
Who Doesn’t Like Stickers and Chatting with Friends?
In addition to Group Chats, TikTok is also adding Stickers in Direct Messages to add fun and creativity to your communication. TikTok hopes this will encourage users to create and upload custom stickers, then share them with others to use as well.
If you just want to watch a few videos with your friends and chat about then, there is no reason to leave the TikTok app. You can have a Group Chat, add your stickers, and have plenty of fun. Whether TikTok users will take this bait and switch their group messaging app is the question. Check out how to do group chats in Snapchat.
Image credit: Unsplash
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox
Sign up for all newsletters.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and European users agree to the data transfer policy. We will not share your data and you can unsubscribe at any time. Subscribe
Laura Tucker –
Contributor
Laura has spent more than 20 years writing news, reviews, and op-eds, with the majority of those years as an editor as well. She has exclusively used Apple products for the past 35 years. In addition to writing and editing at MTE, she also runs the site’s sponsored review program.
Leave a comment