Traffic shaping is a network management technique used to control the flow of data packets. By prioritizing certain types of traffic, such as video streaming or online gaming, it ensures that these services receive the necessary bandwidth for optimal performance. This helps prevent congestion and improves the overall user experience. Network administrators implement traffic shaping to manage bandwidth usage effectively. By setting limits on less critical applications, like file downloads or updates, they can allocate resources more efficiently. This approach helps maintain a stable and responsive network, especially during peak usage times.