Calls For Authority To Regulate TikTok

Calls are being made for authorities to consider regulating the content that is uploaded on a social media platform, TikTok.

This follows concerns that some of the content shared online is contributing to the decadence of societal moral values.

For instance, Mphatso Chikalipo, a veteran media personality- argues that the platform is influencing immoral behaviors among the youths as some ‘influencers’ use semi nudity videos and pictures to attract attention.

“TikTok has without a doubt increased immoral behaviors among the youths as some content creators use semi nudity and sexual provocative dance moves to attract attention and many youths follow such trends,” said the Chikalipo.

Concurring with Chikalipo who is well known by the stage name Mysta President on the entertainment arena, is Anthony Mtuta an Anthropologist, who says some of the pictures and displays are not in-tandem with the culture of the Malawian people.

“There is need to control which is to be consumed in this platform. You find some pictures and some displays are not in line with the culture or the life of the people. So when people are showcasing such things, what is the audience, who is to consume that,” said Mtuta.

However, on the contrary, Natasha Ngolleka a nurse by profession, and also a TikTok user, feels it is all up to the consumers to choose what to view and who to follow.

She says, the platform is mainly patronized by adults who are well informed on how the application works.

This is in agreement with the views of a renowned hip-hop artist, Noel Chikoleka popularly known as Phyzix- who is also Chairperson for the Musicians Union of Malaw- Southern Chapter.

In his take, Chikoleka says the application has more positives than negatives saying artists in the country are capitalizing on the popularity the platform has gained to market their music and other artistic impressions.

“The platform has gained popularity in Malawi among content creators such as musicians and the consumers. Because of the short form videos which are consumed within a few seconds, people are maximizing on the shorter attention span people have now.” said Chikoleka.

On this, Mysta President also agrees, he says despite the ills, the social media platform has become a darling to many creatives whose creations are trending within a short period of time.

This is evidenced by Hanreen Mpina one of the female leading Tiktokers in Malawi who goes by the name Hanareen Doness.

In her remarks, Mpina said through the content that she uploads on her profile that has amassed almost one million likes, she has gained business deals which has assisted her to be financially empowered.

“I have been making money on Tiktok by advertising people’s business. So what you need to do as a Tiktoker is to play it right,” said Mpina.

Although some positives are coming out of the platform, Mtuta has stressed the need to have the application regulated.

“There is a need to put some regulations. Putting things at freelance would jeordise the culture and the well-being of the nation,” Mtuta.

According to the DataReportal, in its Digital 2023: Malawi report, as of 2023, the country has registered over five million internet users, out of which seven hundred thousand are on social media