TikTok expands commitment to user safety with #SaferTogether workshops in Kenya
TikTok, the world’s leading short-form video platform, is reinforcing its dedication to ensuring user safety within the Kenyan community.
In collaboration with Eveminet Communications, an organization focused on promoting digital safety and well-being, TikTok will be conducting a series of in-person and virtual workshops across Kenya.
The platform acknowledges its profound responsibility to foster a secure online community for users in the digital age. Given the extensive user base served by TikTok, there is an urgent need to prioritize safety.
Initiatives like the #SaferTogether workshops are a testament to the platform’s commitment to engage various stakeholders in the effort to maintain a safe and creative space for its users.
Phase one of the #SaferTogether workshops was successfully launched in Nairobi in February of this year during Safer Internet Month.
It reached nearly 7,000 parents, guardians, and teachers. Building on the success of the initial phase, phase two of the project was announced on October 25th at a stakeholder event held at Woodcreek School in Kiambu.
The collaborative endeavor between TikTok and Eveminet Communications aims to extend its reach to at least 72 schools, four universities, and over 3,000 parents and guardians across 11 counties in Kenya.
Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Government and public Policy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized, “Everyone deserves to feel protected and empowered while engaging on the platform.
TikTok remains dedicated to creating a safe space for creators to thrive by offering several tools and controls to help manage their experience on the platform.
#SaferTogether is a promise we made when we regularly engaged various stakeholders this year, to understand our community’s needs for online safety.”
Mgwili-Sibanda further added, “This is our way of saying to creators, parents, guardians, and the wider stakeholder community that we are purposefully working with the TikTok community to establish a safe space and are committed to making it better, together.”
Evelyn Kasina, Founder of Eveminet Communications, emphasized the empowerment of parents, guardians, and educators at the core of the #SaferTogether workshops.
They play a crucial role in guiding the younger generation’s digital experience. The program includes a Trainer of Trainers (TOT) initiative, hosting over 280 Trainer of Trainer sessions.
Leveraging insights from the first phase of the project, the goal is to enhance trust and safety for young users and the broader child-focused community.
The objective is to cultivate a culture of trust, joy, and creativity among TikTok users in Kenya.
In addition to fostering digital trust, these workshops will provide resources to help teachers, parents, and guardians create secure online spaces for young people in their care.
This includes setting up parental control settings, defining screen time boundaries, and educating young individuals about the importance of responsible online behavior.
Acknowledging the significance of TikTok and Eveminet Communications’ efforts, Mr. Joel Wamalwa, the CEO of Kenya Film Classification Board, remarked:
“Children tend to imitate what they see, especially on digital platforms. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure they monitor and guide their children appropriately on online content access and consumption.
As a parent myself, I have the responsibility to ensure that children will have values that will be celebrated by future generations.
The values I have today were passed on to me by my parents. As a content creator, you need to ask yourself what values you are passing to children through your content.”
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