In response to mounting concerns regarding mental health and potential content promoting violence, Kenyan legislators have announced a formal investigation into the use of the popular social media platform TikTok within the East African nation. A petition advocating for the ban of TikTok on grounds of inappropriate content has prompted this inquiry.
Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, addressing the matter in a letter directed to fellow lawmakers, emphasized that TikTok’s alleged propagation of violence, explicit sexual material, hate speech, offensive language, and objectionable behavior poses a significant threat to Kenya’s cultural and religious values. The appeal for a ban was submitted by private citizen Bob Ndolo.
Wetang’ula conveyed the petitioner’s apprehension that the continued presence of the platform in Kenya could lead to detrimental consequences. He highlighted concerns over the potential decline in academic performance and the exacerbation of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and sleep deprivation among the youth due to the app’s reportedly addictive nature.
TikTok, boasting a user base exceeding 1 billion globally, remains under scrutiny in its primary markets, including the United States and the European Union, where discussions about potential bans persist. In the US, legislative proposals aiming to restrict the app have emerged, while the Federal government conducts an ongoing security assessment of its data privacy protocols.
In the Kenyan context, the Speaker has referred the matter to the House’s Public Petitions Committee, tasking them with conducting a thorough investigation. The committee typically operates within a 60-day timeline to compile its findings, which will subsequently be subject to debate or dismissal based on the recommendations provided.
