By Adedapo Adesanya
Social, short-form video content platform, TikTok has announced the launch of the second phase of its #SaferTogether digital safety and awareness programme in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Data Science Nigeria (DSN).
The initiative, which began in 2022, aims to enhance digital safety across Nigeria by educating parents, teachers, and guardians on how to help young people navigate TikTok and the broader digital landscape safely.
The first phase of the #SaferTogether campaign successfully educated 537 teachers and 1,037 parents in cities like Abuja, Lagos, and Kano about TikTok’s safety features and promoting positive mental health online.
Now, building on this success, the second phase will include NITDA as a strategic partner, aligning with its mission to foster digital literacy and enhance technology infrastructure.
The company said Phase 2 will extend the programme’s reach to additional regions, including Edo and Kaduna, and will cover critical topics such as misinformation, cyberbullying, sexting, digital citizenship, fake news, child sexual violence, and data protection.
Workshops will engage a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, government representatives, community leaders, parents, teachers, and guardians.
Speaking on this development, Mr Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, TikTok’s Government Relations and Public Policy Director for Africa, emphasized the importance of digital literacy.
“Empowering parents, teachers, and guardians with digital literacy skills is crucial for creating a safer digital environment. Our commitment to community safety is unwavering, and through local partnerships, we are extending these educational resources beyond our platform,” he said.
Adding his input, Mr Olubayo Adekanmbi, Founder and CEO of Data Science Nigeria, highlighted the shared responsibility in making the digital world safer, adding that the organisation will continue to advance this goal.
“We are excited to continue with the Safer Together campaign, providing essential insights on digital wellness to parents, teachers, and guardians.”