MWE Correspondent
Tanzanian Member of Parliament Felista Njalu has urged the government to take firm measures in regulating the popular social media platform TikTok, raising concerns over its influence on school-going children and its impact on Tanzanian moral values.
Speaking during a parliamentary session held in Dodoma on Monday, May 5, 2025, Njalu described TikTok as widely popular among students but claimed that it often promotes harmful content that threatens the country’s cultural and ethical fabric.
In response, the Deputy Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Hamis Mwinjuma, assured the House that the government is actively working through the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) to ensure that content creators comply with national laws and policies.
Mwinjuma emphasized that although rapid global technological advancements pose challenges, the government remains committed to updating existing laws and digital policies to better protect children and society at large.
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“The speed at which digital platforms evolve makes regulation difficult, but we are enhancing our frameworks to safeguard the moral and cultural integrity of our nation,” Mwinjuma said.
TikTok, owned by the Chinese tech company ByteDance, has become a global phenomenon, especially among the youth. In Tanzania, its use has surged, raising both excitement and concern—especially among parents, educators, and cultural leaders who fear its potential to influence behavior and disrupt local traditions.
Authorities say they are not seeking to ban the platform, but rather to strengthen oversight and encourage responsible use, especially among minors.
This latest development highlights ongoing debates in many countries on how best to balance freedom of expression with the need to maintain social order and protect vulnerable groups in the digital age.
