TikTok, the popular short-form video platform, has unveiled a new Group Chat feature, allowing users to connect and interact with up to 32 participants simultaneously. This latest addition aims to enhance user engagement and foster a more social environment within the app.
The Group Chat feature enables users to watch and discuss videos together in real-time, creating a shared viewing experience. Participants can comment, react, and engage with content collectively, bringing a new dimension to the platform's social capabilities.
In response to privacy concerns, TikTok has implemented several safety measures, particularly for younger users. The feature is not available for users aged 13 to 15, while those between 16 and 17 years old can only be added to group chats by mutual friends. Additionally, teens are required to proactively join group chats and approve new members, providing an extra layer of security.
To create a group chat, users can select up to 31 friends from their mutual followers list through the Direct Message options menu. Alternatively, they can initiate a group chat directly from a video by tapping the "Share" button and choosing "Create group chat with friends."
Alongside the Group Chat feature, TikTok has introduced custom stickers for direct messages, adding a playful element to conversations. Users can now create and share their own sticker sets, potentially sparking new trends within the app.
While this update marks a significant shift in TikTok's focus, traditionally centered on entertainment rather than social connections, it remains to be seen how users will adopt these new messaging features. The platform faces the challenge of encouraging users to establish new chat groups within TikTok, as many already have established communication channels on other platforms.
As TikTok continues to evolve, this latest update represents an effort to position itself as a more comprehensive social platform, moving beyond its roots as a pure entertainment app.