TikTok has unveiled its first Safety Advisory Council for Sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to enhance platform safety across the region. This initiative, announced at TikTok’s Safety Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, is part of a broader effort to foster a secure and positive environment for users.
The new council will work with key stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, NGOs, and community leaders, to address regional safety concerns and develop forward-thinking policies. This move follows TikTok’s establishment of nine regional Safety Advisory Councils and a U.S. Content Advisory Council since 2020. These councils have been instrumental in shaping TikTok’s safety policies and features.
The Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council includes notable members such as Prof. Guy Berger from Rhodes University (South Africa), Dennis Coffie, a content creator from Ghana, and Peter Cunliffe-Jones, a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Westminster (UK). Other members are Aisha Dabo, Co-Founder of AfricTivistes (Senegal); Lillian Kariuki, Founder of Watoto Watch Network (Kenya); Dr. Akinola Olojo, an expert on countering violent extremism (Nigeria); Prof. Medhane Tadesse, a policy academic (Ethiopia); and Berhan Taye, an independent researcher (Ethiopia).
Valiant Richey, TikTok’s Global Head of Outreach and Partnerships, Trust and Safety, highlighted that the council’s creation underscores TikTok’s dedication to incorporating expert African perspectives into its safety strategies. “We are excited to collaborate with this group of leaders, whose diverse expertise will be crucial in shaping our approach to regional safety challenges.”
In conjunction with the council’s launch, TikTok is expanding its #SaferTogether campaign, which promotes understanding of the platform’s community guidelines and safety features. This campaign will involve workshops, social media outreach, and partnerships with stakeholders to raise awareness and encourage adherence to community standards. Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, TikTok’s Director of Government Relations & Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized that safety is a collective responsibility and urged the community to actively participate in creating a safer TikTok environment.
TikTok’s Community Guidelines are central to its safety efforts, providing standards for acceptable behavior and content on the platform. These guidelines are regularly updated to address new safety concerns and ensure a respectful online community.
In Kenya, TikTok has made significant strides with its #SaferTogether workshops, reaching students and youth aged 13 to 24. The program has been conducted in 26 of Kenya’s 47 counties, benefiting over 64,000 students, 467 parents, and 346 teachers.
