TikTok has introduced a new initiative to boost safety for users in Sub-Saharan Africa by launching its first Safety Advisory Council in the region. The announcement, made during TikTok’s Safety Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, highlights the platform’s commitment to maintaining a secure and positive user environment.
This council is a key part of TikTok’s global safety efforts and includes a diverse group of experts such as academics, NGOs, content creators, and community leaders. Their role is to provide localized insights and advice on safety issues. The creation of this council builds on TikTok’s existing network of Safety Advisory Councils, which have helped shape safety policies worldwide.
Members of the Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council include:
- Prof Guy Berger, Rhodes University (South Africa)
- Dennis Coffie, Content creator (Ghana)
- Peter Cunliffe-Jones, Visiting Research Fellow, University of Westminster (UK)
- Aisha Dabo, Co-Founder and Coordinator of AfricTivistes (Senegal)
- Lillian Kariuki, Founder and Executive Director of Watoto Watch Network (Kenya)
- Dr Akinola Olojo, Expert on countering violent extremism (Nigeria)
- Prof Medhane Tadesse, Policy academic on peace and security issues (Ethiopia)
- Berhan Taye, Independent Researcher (Ethiopia)
These experts will collaborate with TikTok to address safety issues specific to the region and create strategies to handle emerging challenges.
Valiant Richey, TikTok’s Global Head of Outreach and Partnerships, Trust and Safety, commented on the council, stating, “With the launch of the Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council, we are demonstrating our commitment to including expert African voices in our Trust and Safety work. This group of leaders was chosen for their broad range of expertise and experience, and we look forward to working with them over the coming years.”
In addition to the council, TikTok is rolling out the next phase of its #SaferTogether campaign. This campaign focuses on educating users about safety features and community guidelines through workshops, social media efforts, and partnerships with local organizations. It aims to encourage a shared responsibility for safety and motivate users to engage with TikTok’s safety tools.
Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, TikTok’s Director of Government Relations & Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized the campaign’s goal of promoting a collective approach to online safety. She noted, “The community empowerment campaign highlights that safety is a shared responsibility. We’re asking the TikTok community to join us in making the platform safer for everyone by following the Community Guidelines and using the available safety features. With the additional support from the Safety Advisory Council, we believe collective safety is achievable.”
TikTok’s #SaferTogether workshops have already had a significant impact in Kenya, reaching over 64,000 students, parents, and educators. The campaign expanded to Nigeria in 2022, and earlier this year, TikTok partnered with the African Union Commission’s Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate (WGYD) at the inaugural TikTok Safer Internet Summit in Ghana to promote digital literacy across the continent.
Safaricom, a key strategic partner, expressed strong support for TikTok’s safety initiatives. Fawzia Ali, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom PLC, remarked, “At Safaricom, we believe the internet should be a safe resource accessible to everyone. We commend TikTok’s efforts to unite various stakeholders in the shared goal of ensuring online safety and promoting the safe use of its platform across Africa.”
Sub-Saharan Africa has seen a remarkable increase in internet and social media usage over the past decade. TikTok has become particularly popular among younger demographic. However, this rapid growth also brings new challenges, particularly in the areas of online safety and digital literacy.
The rise of social media platforms like TikTok has also led to increased concerns about issues such as cyberbullying, misinformation, and harmful content. In response to these challenges, TikTok’s newly formed Safety Advisory Council aims to address these issues by bringing together local experts who can provide culturally relevant insights and recommendations.
As TikTok continues to engage with experts and users through its Safety Advisory Council and #SaferTogether campaign, the platform remains dedicated to upholding its commitment to user safety. By addressing the unique challenges faced by users in Sub-Saharan Africa, TikTok aims to create a safer, more positive online environment for its growing community across the region