TikTok (www.TikTok.com) is making significant strides to enhance safety on its platform throughout Sub-Saharan Africa by introducing its first Safety Advisory Council and expanding the #SaferTogether community education initiative. Through collaborations with essential stakeholders, including policymakers, academic representatives, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders, TikTok seeks to promote a cooperative strategy for creating a secure and constructive platform atmosphere. This initiative was announced during TikTok’s Safety Summit, which took place in Nairobi, Kenya.

A Commitment to Ongoing Improvement: The Safety Advisory Council

Since 2020, TikTok has formed nine regional Safety Advisory Councils in addition to the U.S. Content Advisory Council, each comprising specialists in fields such as youth safety, freedom of expression, and the prevention of hate speech. These councils are instrumental in influencing TikTok’s policies, product features, and safety protocols, ensuring that the platform adapts to emerging challenges.

The newly established Safety Advisory Council for Sub-Saharan Africa will enhance these efforts by uniting local experts who will work alongside TikTok to formulate proactive policies and tackle regional safety issues. Their contributions will assist TikTok in addressing current challenges and anticipating future ones, thereby reinforcing the platform’s dedication to user safety and promoting a positive online experience.

Members of the Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council are: 

• Prof Guy Berger, Rhodes University (South Africa)  
• Dennis Coffie, Content creator (Ghana)  
• Peter Cunliffe-Jones, University of Westminster Visiting Research Fellow (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 preventing and countering violent extremism (Nigeria)  
• Prof Medhane Tadesse, Policy academic on peace and security issues (Ethiopia) 
• Berhan Taye, Independent Researcher (Ethiopia)  

1. The establishment of the Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council underscores our dedication to incorporating the insights of African experts into our Trust and Safety initiatives. This assembly of distinguished leaders has been selected for their diverse expertise and experience, and we anticipate fruitful collaboration with them in the years ahead. – Valiant Richey, Global Head of Outreach and Partnerships, Trust and Safety, TikTok

SaferTogether: A Community-Focused Initiative

This version of the #SaferTogether campaign aims to actively involve the community in fostering a fundamental understanding of the platform’s community guidelines and safety features. The initiative will encompass workshops, social media engagement, and collaborations with key stakeholders to enhance awareness regarding the significance of adhering to TikTok’s community standards. The campaign aspires to cultivate a joint effort to maintain a secure environment for creative expression.

Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Director of Government Relations & Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa, stated, “The community empowerment campaign underscores the notion that safety is a collective responsibility. This segment of the campaign will directly address the TikTok community, encouraging them to collaborate in making TikTok a safer environment for everyone by adhering to the Community Guidelines and utilizing the available safety features. With the added support of the Safety Advisory Council, we are confident that we can achieve safety together.”

Comprehending TikTok’s Community Guidelines

TikTok’s Community Guidelines (https://apo-opa.co/4dT5vdm) play a crucial role in the platform’s commitment to safety. These guidelines have been formulated through extensive research and contributions from a diverse range of stakeholders, including safety professionals and community members. They establish the criteria for acceptable conduct and content on the platform. The primary aim is to create a secure and inclusive environment, allowing users to express themselves freely and creatively while safeguarding them from potential risks. The guidelines are regularly revised to tackle new safety issues and promote a respectful online community.

Effects of the #SaferTogether Partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa

In Kenya, TikTok has made significant progress with its flagship #SaferTogether workshops (https://apo-opa.co/3Ayt4cZ).

• Reaching students and youth aged 13 to 24 from secondary schools to universities 
• Conducting workshops in 26 out of 47 counties across Kenya, these workshops continue to encourage best practices on online platforms 
• Workshops have also benefitted over 64,000 students, more than 467 parents, and 346 teachers 

In 2022, the #SaferTogether workshops and campaign were initiated in Nigeria.

Earlier this year, TikTok announced its official collaboration with the African Union Commission’s Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate (WGYD) during the inaugural TikTok Safer Internet Summit held in Ghana. This partnership aims to implement digital literacy programs throughout Africa, equipping young individuals and their guardians with the knowledge to safely and effectively utilize digital platforms to diversify their income sources.

Safaricom has been a key strategic ally of TikTok, engaging in various mobile and network initiatives over the years, including the provision of TikTok data bundles and participation in the #LevelUpAfrica Creator event. In light of these ongoing partnerships, Safaricom has expressed robust support for TikTok’s recent initiatives aimed at improving online safety across Africa. “At Safaricom, we believe that the internet should be a resource accessible to all, in a safe manner.

We applaud TikTok’s establishment of the Safety Advisory Council and the launch of the #SaferTogether campaign, as it brings together diverse stakeholders to achieve a shared objective – ensuring online safety and promoting the responsible use of its platform throughout Africa,” stated Fawzia Ali, Chief Consumer Business Officer of Safaricom PLC. Further details regarding the activities of the Safety Advisory Councils can be accessed on TikTok’s Transparency Centre.