In Africa, TikTok takes on mental health with new tools and funding 🧠

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The Chinese short-form video giant is looking beyond entertainment, aiming to become a key player in digital well-being across the African continent. At a summit in Johannesburg, TikTok unveiled new features and partnerships designed to better support the mental health of its African users.

A summit focused on digital well-being 🏢

On June 26, 2025, TikTok hosted its first-ever Digital Well-Being Summit in Africa, held in Johannesburg. The event brought together content creators, public health experts, policymakers, and NGOs to tackle one urgent question: how can platforms like TikTok help reduce the psychological risks of heavy social media use?

A centerpiece of the event was the expansion of the Mental Health Education Fund to Africa. The $2.3 million global fund will now provide financial and logistical support to African organizations working in the mental health space. The first three grantees include SADAG (South Africa), Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative, and Mental360 (Kenya), each set to launch awareness campaigns tailored to local realities.

© TikTok

In-app features designed for immediate support 📱

TikTok is also rolling out new in-app features aimed at offering direct help. When content or user behavior signals potential distress—such as cyberbullying, self-harm, or suicidal ideation—the app will now redirect affected users to local mental health hotlines. The goal is to provide culturally relevant and immediate assistance.

Another new feature is Sleep Hours, a time-based restriction system that kicks in automatically at 10 p.m. for users under 18. The idea: help teens establish healthier sleep habits in an era of always-on screens. Adults can also enable the mode manually. It’s paired with guided meditation and relaxation content, available directly within the app.

© TikTok

A campaign powered by local mental health advocates 🌍

To amplify the impact, TikTok has launched a network of mental health ambassadors across several African countries. These ambassadors—respected professionals from Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa—will lead the campaign on the ground. The initiative is backed by a partnership with the World Health Organization, giving it added credibility and helping scale its reach.

With this summit and new measures, TikTok is signaling more than just a feature drop. It’s positioning itself as a committed stakeholder in Africa’s digital health future—at a time when mental well-being is becoming a growing concern, especially among younger users.

👉🏾 What’s your take on TikTok’s mental health push in Africa? Join the conversation !