The African Union (AU) and global social media platform TikTok have joined forces to launch the ‘Safer Together’ campaign, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering African youth to navigate the digital world safely.
Announced at the recent TikTok Safer Internet Summit in Ghana, the campaign is designed not only to educate young Africans but also to support parents and educators in promoting digital safety across the continent.
Prudence Ngwenya, Director of the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate at the AU Commission, hailed the partnership as a significant step towards safeguarding the digital future of Africa’s youth.
“The ‘Safer Together’ campaign aligns with the African Union’s commitment to ensure safe online experiences for young people,” Ngwenya said. “Through the One Million Next Level Initiative, we are dedicated to enhancing the mental well-being of our youth as they engage with digital platforms.”
The One Million Next Level Initiative is an ambitious program by the AU aiming to provide opportunities for 300 million African youths by 2030 in education, employment, entrepreneurship, health, and well-being.
Ngwenya emphasized the importance of creating a secure digital environment, stating that while internet access offers immense benefits like improved connectivity and digital literacy, it is crucial to protect young people from online risks.
The ‘Safer Together’ campaign will feature a variety of in-app activities on TikTok, including educational videos, hashtag challenges, endorsements from popular content creators, and notifications to raise awareness about digital safety.
By collaborating with TikTok, the AU hopes to leverage the platform’s vast reach among young Africans to foster a culture of responsible internet usage and enhance digital skills across the continent.
Reference(s):
AU, TikTok join forces to empower African youth on digital safety
cgtn.com
