TikTok gets closer to messaging apps with its discussion groups 💬

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TikTok, the short-video sharing platform that has become indispensable, is expanding its offering by introducing new messaging features. The company has announced the launch of group discussions, allowing users to create private conversations that can accommodate up to 32 participants.

A step towards community messaging 💬

Until now, TikTok users could exchange private one-on-one messages. But with this new feature, it is now possible to create discussion groups bringing together up to 32 people.

This evolution marks an important step for TikTok. The platform is now positioning itself as a potential competitor to instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Telegram. The new feature aims to « improve the user experience » by facilitating sharing and discussion around popular content on the platform.

The process of creating these groups is simplified. From the inbox, you just need to click on the new conversation icon. Then, select the « more options » option to add up to 32 contacts. It is also possible to create a discussion group directly when sharing a video, thus promoting immediate interaction around the content.

Special attention to the safety of young users 🛡️

Aware of the challenges related to protecting minors on social networks, TikTok has put in place specific restrictions for this new feature. Group discussions will not be accessible to users aged 13 to 15. For teenagers aged 16 to 17, the application has implemented additional security measures. Only mutual friends will be able to add them to groups. Moreover, each new invitation will have to be approved by the group administrator.

These measures aim to prevent the risks of unwanted communication with strangers. This is a recurring problem on other messaging platforms. TikTok has also integrated tools to block, hide, and report messages or groups. Users’ safety and control over their interactions are thus reinforced.

TikTok, a serious competitor for WhatsApp and Telegram ? 🤔

With this new feature, TikTok seems to be positioning itself as a potential competitor to major messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram. In addition to group discussions, the platform has also introduced custom stickers in messages. They thus offer users more ways to express themselves creatively and visually.

TikTok has also learned lessons from problems encountered by other platforms, notably WhatsApp. The platform will limit the number of times a message can be shared and the number of groups a user can belong to. These restrictions aim to reduce the spread of false information and maintain a more controlled messaging experience.

With these updates, TikTok demonstrates its willingness to evolve beyond a simple video-sharing platform to become a broader space for communication and connection. The new features are currently being rolled out to users.

Do you use TikTok daily? If so, what do you think of these new features? Let us know in the comments.