TikTok launches Safety Advisory Council for Sub-Saharan Africa in Nairobi

In a significant move to enhance user safety across its platform, TikTok has launched its first-ever Safety Advisory Council for Sub-Saharan Africa and expanded its #SaferTogether community education campaign. These initiatives mark a crucial step in TikTok’s commitment to providing a secure and positive environment for its users across the region.

A Collaborative Effort: The Safety Advisory Council

TikTok’s Safety Advisory Council is not a new concept; it has been an integral part of the platform’s safety strategy since 2020. The platform has established nine regional Safety Advisory Councils worldwide, each comprising experts in fields such as youth safety, free expression, and hate speech. These councils have played a pivotal role in shaping TikTok’s policies, product features, and safety processes, ensuring that the platform remains agile and responsive to the evolving digital landscape.

The newly launched Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council takes this effort a step further by bringing together local experts who will collaborate with TikTok to address the unique safety challenges faced in the region. This council will work closely with TikTok to develop policies that are not only forward-looking but also tailored to the specific needs of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Among the distinguished members of the Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council are:

• Prof. Guy Berger from Rhodes University, South Africa
• Dennis Coffie, a content creator from Ghana
• Peter Cunliffe-Jones, a Visiting Research Fellow at the 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, an expert in preventing and countering violent extremism, Nigeria
• Prof. Medhane Tadesse, a policy academic focused on peace and security issues, Ethiopia
• Berhan Taye, an independent researcher from Ethiopia

Valiant Richey, Global Head of Outreach and Partnerships at TikTok’s Trust and Safety division, emphasized the significance of this initiative, 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.”

Expanding the #SaferTogether Campaign: A Community-Focused Approach

Alongside the launch of the Safety Advisory Council, TikTok is expanding its #SaferTogether campaign across Sub-Saharan Africa. This campaign is designed to engage the community in promoting a basic understanding of TikTok’s community guidelines and safety features, aiming to create a safer space for all users.

The #SaferTogether campaign will include workshops, social media outreach, and partnerships with key stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of adhering to TikTok’s community standards. These efforts are particularly focused on educating young users, their parents, and educators about the tools available on TikTok to ensure a positive and secure online experience.

Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Director of Government Relations & Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa at TikTok, highlighted the importance of this campaign, stating, “The community empowerment campaign highlights the importance of safety being a shared responsibility. This part of the campaign will speak directly to the TikTok community, to join us in making TikTok a safer space for all by ensuring they follow the Community Guidelines and use the safety features available to them. With the additional layer that the Safety Advisory Council presents, we believe that safety can be achieved, collectively.”

TikTok’s Community Guidelines: The Foundation of Safety

TikTok’s Community Guidelines are at the heart of its safety initiatives. Developed through extensive research and collaboration with safety experts, policymakers, and community members, these guidelines establish the standards for acceptable behavior and content on the platform. They are designed to foster a safe and welcoming environment where users can express themselves creatively while being protected from potential harm.

The guidelines are regularly updated to address new safety challenges and ensure that TikTok remains a positive space for all users. By following these guidelines, users contribute to a safer and more respectful online community, aligning with TikTok’s vision of a platform that promotes positive interactions and creative expression.

Impact of the #SaferTogether Campaign in Sub-Saharan Africa

The #SaferTogether campaign has already made significant strides in promoting digital literacy and online safety across Sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, for example, TikTok has conducted workshops that have reached a broad audience, including students, parents, and educators. These workshops, which have been held in 26 out of 47 counties across Kenya, have benefited over 64,000 students, more than 467 parents, and 346 teachers. The campaign’s success in Kenya is a testament to the effectiveness of community-based education in fostering safe online practices.

In Nigeria, the #SaferTogether campaign was launched in 2022, further extending TikTok’s safety efforts across the continent. Earlier this year, TikTok announced an official partnership with the African Union Commission’s Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate (WGYD) at the inaugural TikTok Safer Internet Summit in Ghana. This partnership aims to deliver digital literacy programs across Africa, guiding young people and their caregivers on how to use digital platforms safely and responsibly.

Strategic Partnerships: Enhancing Online Safety

TikTok’s efforts to enhance online safety in Sub-Saharan Africa are supported by strategic partnerships with organizations like Safaricom, a leading telecommunications company in Kenya. Safaricom has been a long-standing partner of TikTok, collaborating on various initiatives, including the development of TikTok data bundles and participation in the #LevelUpAfrica Creator event.

Fawzia Ali, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom PLC, expressed strong support for TikTok’s recent safety initiatives, stating, “At Safaricom, we see the internet as a resource that everyone should have access to, safely. Having witnessed the announcement of the TikTok Safety Advisory Council and the launch of the #SaferTogether campaign, we commend TikTok’s efforts in bringing together various stakeholders for a common goal – ensuring online safety and promoting the safe use of its platform across Africa.”

Looking Ahead: A Safer TikTok for All

TikTok’s launch of the Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council and the expansion of the #SaferTogether campaign represent significant milestones in the platform’s ongoing efforts to create a safe and positive online environment for its users. By partnering with local experts, policymakers, and community leaders, TikTok is not only addressing the current safety challenges but also anticipating future ones, ensuring that the platform remains a safe space for creative expression.

As TikTok continues to grow in popularity across Sub-Saharan Africa, these initiatives underscore the platform’s commitment to user safety and its dedication to fostering a community where everyone can thrive. Through continued collaboration with stakeholders and the ongoing expansion of safety programs, TikTok is setting a new standard for online safety in the region, paving the way for a more secure and inclusive digital future.