TikTok, NITDA, DSN Partner For Online Safety

TikTok has partnered with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Data Science Nigeria (DSN) to extend its #SaferTogether campaign across Nigeria. This partnership, aims to equip parents, guardians, educators, and young people with the tools they need to navigate digital spaces safely.

TikTok has long been a hub for creativity, but with its massive global presence, it also carries the responsibility of safeguarding its users especially younger audiences from the growing risks of the digital world.

The #SaferTogether initiative, which began in 2022, has made an impact by educating Nigerian communities about the importance of online safety. Over 1,500 stakeholders in cities such as Abuja, Lagos, and Kano have already participated in workshops and outreach initiatives.  Phase 1 specifically focused on equipping 537 teachers and 1,037 parents with knowledge about TikTok’s safety features and how to promote positive mental health in the digital environment.

Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, TikTok’s Director for Government Relations and Public Policy in Africa, explains, “Empowering parents, teachers, and guardians with digital literacy skills is crucial for creating a safer digital environment. Our commitment to community safety is unwavering, and through local partnerships, we are extending these educational resources beyond our platform.”

After a successful first phase, TikTok now moves forward with the second phase of its #SaferTogether campaign in partnership with NITDA and DSN. This phase will extend the program’s reach to additional regions, including Edo and Kaduna, and will cover critical topics such as misinformation, cyberbullying, sexting, digital citizenship, fake news, child sexual violence, and data protection. Workshops will engage a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, government representatives, community leaders, parents, teachers, and guardians.

According to Dr. Olubayo Adekanmbi, Founder and CEO of DSN, “We have a shared responsibility to make this space safer, and we are excited to continue with the Safer Together campaign, providing parents, teachers, and guardians with essential insights on digital wellness.”

Although the focus of this expanded partnership is in Nigeria, TikTok’s commitment to online safety is a broader global initiative. In Kenya, for example, the #SaferTogether campaign has also made waves, reaching over 116,000 participants through workshops aimed at both parents and young users. This initiative provides vital guidance on issues such as cyberbullying, misinformation, and online safety best practices.

In addition to educational campaigns, TikTok has strengthened its platform’s safety features. The platform uses advanced AI moderation systems to quickly detect and remove harmful content, ensuring that users are protected from harmful videos that violate community guidelines.

The platform’s trust and safety efforts also extend to user privacy. TikTok has rolled out more robust privacy settings that give users control over who can see their content and interact with them. These settings aim to give users, particularly younger ones, more autonomy in managing their digital presence.

According to the company’s recently released Q2 enforcement report, TikTok removed 360,000 videos from Kenya in the three months leading up to June. Throughout 2023, it removed 296,000 videos from Kenya. During the three-month period, 0.3percent  of the videos uploaded in Kenya during that quarter were removed.

This included content that promoted violence, hate speech, and other harmful behavior. TikTok’s proactive approach in flagging and removing videos plays a significant role in maintaining a secure and positive environment for users.

TikTok’s ongoing partnership with NITDA and DSN is just one example of its dedication to creating a safe and empowering online environment. TikTok is not only tackling current online safety issues but also shaping a more responsible and informed future for users across the continent.