Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has challenged parents to refrain from giving their children smartphones to keep them away from the Tik Tok app.
This comes after Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula on Tuesday, confirmed receiving a petition seeking to ban Tik Tok in Kenya.
According to the petitioner, the content that is being shared on the social media platform is inappropriate and is promoting violence, vulgar language, explicit content and hate speech which is a serious threat to the cultural and religious values in Kenya.
Khalwale said proposing to ban Tik Tok in Kenya is a waste of time since the country doesn’t have the mandate to do so.
“Kenya does not have its own unique locus on the internet, which parliamentary legislation can ring-fence and lock,” Khalwale said.
“If you don't like Tik Tok, deny your kids access to a smartphone or computer, if you can.”
Wetang'ula said his office received a petition from Bob Ndolo, an executive officer of the Briget Connect Consultancy.
Ndolo said if the app is not banned in Kenya, Tik Tok addictive nature would lead to a decline in academic performance.
He added that it can also lead to mental health issues, depression, anxiety, and sleep deprivation among the youth.