Kenya to investigate TikTok over mental health, violence concerns
- The move came after a private citizen complained that the app’s addictive nature would lead to a rise in depression and anxiety among the youth
- Kenya’s speaker has asked the parliament’s Public Petitions Committee to look into the matter
TikTok is unsuitable because it allegedly promotes “violence, explicit sexual content, hate speech, vulgar language and offensive behaviour, which is a serious threat to the cultural and religious values of Kenya,” Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said in a letter to lawmakers, citing petitioner Bob Ndolo, a private citizen.
“The petitioner is concerned that if the platform is not prohibited in Kenya, the app’s addictive nature would lead to a decline in academic performance and ascend in mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and sleep deprivation among the youth,” Wetang’ula said.
TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company ByteDance Ltd. didn’t respond to an email seeking comment that was sent after work hours.
The popular app, which has more than 1 billion users worldwide, continues to face potential bans in its major markets including the US and the European Union.
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In the United States, lawmakers have proposed multiple bills that could block the app, and the Federal government still has an outstanding security review on its data privacy practices
Kenya’s speaker asked the house’s Public Petitions Committee to look into the matter. The group usually has 60 days to report back, and the issue is then debated or thrown out depending on its recommendations.