The rise of mental health awareness in the digital age

While TikTok is a space for fun, creativity, and connection, it’s also a platform where many encounter challenges like cyberbullying and the pressure to maintain a perfect online persona.

Mental health emerged as a key topic during a roundtable discussion featuring TikTok’s vice president for Public Policy, Helena Lersch.

The conversation on mental well-being was particularly relevant for South Africans, where online spaces often reflect larger societal issues like body shaming, racism, and gender discrimination.

Kyla shared her personal experiences with cyberbullying, sharing her approach to dealing with negativity: “I don’t engage with negative comments, especially those directed at body shaming.”

Her words were a reminder that while social media can be empowering, it’s also crucial to protect your mental health by setting boundaries.

The summit also explored how the platform is creating tools to support users' mental health, including resources to help identify and combat online harassment.

This is part of the platform's broader #SaferTogether campaign, launched in collaboration with African digital advocacy groups to promote online safety and tackle misinformation.

Cyberbullying and the responsibility of social media platforms

Cyberbullying remains one of the most pressing issues in online spaces, especially for younger users.

According to a 2022 UNICEF SA study, approximately 64% of South African youth have experienced some form of online bullying. That’s a staggering number, and digital platforms must step up to address the problem.

TikTok has introduced stricter content moderation policies, aiming to filter out harmful or misleading content before it reaches users.

These efforts were highlighted at the summit, with Hernande emphasising how AI is being leveraged to identify abusive behaviour while still allowing creative freedom.

For parents like me, this was a comforting takeaway. Knowing that platforms like these are actively working to create safer environments for our children and teens gives hope for a healthier digital future.

In SA, where misinformation can have real-world consequences (think of the panic caused by false WhatsApp chain messages), this is a particularly important issue.

The summit emphasised the need for digital literacy, urging users to critically evaluate the content they consume and share.

TikTok’s role in shaping the future of online spaces

For South African creators, the platform represents endless possibilities.

Whether it’s building a business, raising awareness about social issues, or simply making people laugh, the app has become a space where anyone can shine.

But with great power comes great responsibility. As users, we have a role to play in maintaining a safe and ethical digital space.

From reporting harmful content to supporting creators who promote positivity, we can all contribute to a healthier online community.

The TikTok Online Safety Summit made it clear that social media is more than just an escape it’s a powerful tool for connection, creativity, and change.

But it’s also a space that requires collective responsibility.

Whether you’re a content creator, a parent, or just someone who loves a good TikTok scroll, there’s something to take away from this conversation.