TikTok, a Chinese-owned social media platform, has established a global Youth Council.
The Global Youth Council comprises 15 teenagers aged 15–18 from around the world and aims to make the platform safer for those under 18.
“Today we’re announcing the launch of TikTok’s global Youth Council, a new initiative that further strengthens how we build our app to be safe for teens by design,” reads the Newsroom post.
Council members come from diverse home countries, including the US, UK, Brazil, Indonesia, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, and Morocco.
The initiative comes amidst a growing desire for youth voices to be heard on online safety.
Research conducted by TikTok and the online safety agency Praesidio Safeguarding revealed that 76% of teenagers believe platforms like TikTok should have forums for young people’s concerns.
The TikTok Youth Council will play a crucial role in bridging this gap. They will work alongside TikTok to raise awareness about existing safety resources within the app and provide valuable feedback on the effectiveness of reporting and blocking systems.
Additionally, the council will contribute to redesigning the Youth Portal, a central hub for young users to access safety information and resources.
Kenya Considers Banning TikTok, Citing Security and Privacy Concerns
The Kenyan government is examining TikTok, especially for public officials, to protect sensitive data.
Kenya is concerned about TikTok’s adherence to local privacy laws and its potential use for spreading propaganda, identity theft, scams, and exposing youth to inappropriate content.
“We as the National Police Service (NPS) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) are working with the Ministry of Defence and that of ICT to guard our cyberspace from internal and external threats,” Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki told the Public Petitions Committee.
