Kenya’s crackdown on TikTok’s content moderation failures is a significant step toward safeguarding digital spaces in Africa, with broad implications for the continent’s development.
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has launched an urgent investigation following a BBC report alleging that minors in Kenya were involved in sexualized livestreams on TikTok, with the platform reportedly profiting from digital gifts sent by viewers.
Expressing serious concern, the CA emphasized, in a release dated March 6, that such activities violate both Kenyan and international laws on child protection. Kenya’s existing legal framework—including the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, the Films and Stage Plays Act, the Children Act, and the Data Protection Act—strictly prohibits online child exploitation. These laws align with global standards such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
In response to the BBC report, the CA has ordered TikTok to remove all explicit content involving minors, explain how it bypassed moderation, and present a plan to strengthen child protection measures. TikTok will also face a formal investigation with potential sanctions for legal violations. Meanwhile, the CA is increasing public awareness by educating parents on online safety and promoting parental control tools.
The CA also reminded TikTok of its previous commitments to improve content moderation and establish a local office in Kenya, following government directives in 2023. The latest revelations suggest that significant gaps remain in TikTok’s enforcement of its policies, necessitating stronger regulatory action.
The CA has urged all online platforms operating in Kenya to comply with the country’s legal and regulatory requirements, particularly regarding the protection of minors and the prevention of harmful content. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to utilize online child protection resources at https://cop.ke-cirt.go.ke/.
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a safe, ethical, and secure digital space for all Kenyans and vowed to hold digital platforms accountable for any violations.
Kenya’s decisive response to online child exploitation could set a precedent for stronger social media regulation across Africa, where digital platforms have increasingly become spaces for abuse, including child exploitation, hate speech, defamation, and misinformation.
Online child exploitation is a growing concern in Africa. A 2024 report by ChildFund International and the African Child Policy Forum revealed a significant increase in online child sexual exploitation and abuse across the continent, with over 60% of unidentified victims being young children, including infants and toddlers, and 65% being girls.
Hikmatu Bilali
