Social media platform TikTok is adding a new feature to protect people with photosensitive epilepsy from landing on content that could trigger a seizure.
The feature will reportedly become available in the coming weeks. It will work by bringing up a warning on content that contains flashing images that could trigger a seizure in people with photosensitive epilepsy.
People will have the option to ‘skip all’ similar content as well, according to TikTok’s director of product, trust and safety, Joshua Goodman. He explained the feature was designed after speaking to epilepsy experts about the challenges faced by people with this kind of epilepsy.
The global platform previously included a feature allowing content creators to put a seizure warning on their own content. While useful, this missed the mark in protecting users with photosensitive epilepsy from deliberate attacks.
Earlier this year, TikTok was under pressure to act to protect people with epilepsy again, by removing harmful #seizurechallenge videos.
Mr Goodman said TikTok is working to ensure the platform is accessible and inclusive of all users.
There is more information on photosensitive epilepsy on the Epilepsy Action website.