Kenyan Parliament Rejects Petition to Ban TikTok, Citing Technological Realities
The Kenyan parliament has dismissed a petition advocating for the prohibition of the widely used social media platform, TikTok, within the country. The petitioner argued that TikTok's prevalence is contributing to the erosion of cultural values and moral decline among the East African populace. However, the parliament contends that it cannot wage a battle against technology.
Kimani Ichung’wa, the Majority Leader of the parliament, articulated that since the application has generated significant employment opportunities for a considerable portion of the youth, a complete ban cannot be endorsed. He elucidated that these applications align with the government's mission to foster job creation, and outlawing them would negatively impact the livelihoods of numerous young individuals.
"The petitioner should explore avenues for regulating app usage, age-appropriate content, and implement measures for specific age groups to access content. Outright prohibition would stifle the careers of the youth who depend on it for their livelihoods. These apps are in alignment with the government's initiative, allowing young men and women to generate content for TikTok and Snapchat, thereby earning a living," stated Kimani Ichung’wa, the Majority Leader of the parliament.
The petition was presented by Bob Ndolo, the CEO of Bridget Connect Consultancy, a business leader. The petition highlighted the concern that despite TikTok's popularity among the youth, the shared content is deemed inappropriate. Ndolo expressed apprehension over the content promoting violence, explicit sexual material, hate speech, offensive language, and indecent actions, posing a challenge to cultural and religious principles. The absence of regulatory control from Kenya's Communications Authority over the internet has made it difficult to monitor TikTok's uploaded content. Ndolo's petition pointed out that this absence has led to the emergence of scandals due to TikTok's encroachment on the privacy of the youth.
Parliament members opposed a ban on TikTok due to high youth unemployment. Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina suggested regulatory measures for content management. Nominated MP Irene Mayaka urged parents to monitor children's online activities. Martin Owino, an MP from Ndhiwa, highlighted the delicate balance required between legislating morality and creating an environment where it can flourish. He advocated for a careful approach to handling the situation. The petition presented by Bob Ndolo will undergo evaluation by a committee, with a verdict expected after a 60-day period.
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