Ramadi workshop trains youth, parents on TikTok safety as scrutiny rises in Iraq

ANBAR — A workshop titled “Safe Together” was held this week at the Youth and Sports Forum in Ramadi, aimed at training young users, parents, students, and activists on safe and responsible use of TikTok. The event was organized by the Ansm Foundation for Development and Improvement as part of a broader campaign to promote positive digital engagement across Iraq.

The training focused on how to report harmful or inappropriate content, protect personal accounts from hacking or false reporting, and use the platform’s privacy tools. Participants were introduced to TikTok’s safety settings and content policies through interactive sessions.

According to a March 2025 report by the Digital Media Center, TikTok has become Iraq’s most popular social media platform, with 34.3 million users — about 73.8% of the population—marking an increase of more than 2 million users over the previous year.

“One of the key messages we want to deliver is that TikTok is not just a tool for entertainment or moral corruption as some people believe,” said Shurooq Al-Rubaie, a trainer from Ansm Foundation. “It’s a safe environment if used properly and effectively according to digital safety rules.”

The campaign comes amid growing scrutiny of social media in Iraq. In recent years, authorities have launched a crackdown on influencers, particularly on TikTok, for producing content deemed “indecent” or “immoral”. The Ministry of Interior’s Harmful Content Committee has led the campaign, resulting in arrests and prison sentences.

Al-Rubaie said the foundation coordinates directly with platforms such as TikTok and Facebook through its Help Desk, which reviews and reports cases involving blackmail or hacking. “Provided there is enough evidence, we send detailed reports to the platforms, and action is taken — including account closures,” she said.

In more complex cases, Ansm works with the community police through its activist network. “We try to handle cases internally as much as possible because victims often prefer to avoid escalation,” she said. “This aligns with our project slogan, ‘Safe Together,’ which is implemented in partnership with TikTok and supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.”

The workshop was held in cooperation with TikTok, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the National Council for Climate. It targeted university students and parents and is part of a nationwide campaign reaching all Iraqi governorates except the Kurdistan Region, where separate Kurdish-language sessions are held in IDP camps. Around 250 trainers are involved in the program nationwide.

“We learned a lot of valuable information, especially how to secure our accounts and report fake or offensive accounts that damage the reputation of our governorate,” said Mohammed Rasool, a participant in the workshop. “We also exchanged experiences with other attendees. We thank Ansm Foundation for organizing workshops that benefit the community and help reduce harmful content.”

While TikTok has not been officially banned in Iraq, it faces increasing restrictions. In March 2024, Communications Minister Hiyam al-Yasiri proposed a ban, citing concerns about the platform’s impact on social values and limited educational content. Any ban would require approval from the Council of Ministers or Parliament, and no such action has been taken. However, the Central Bank of Iraq has suspended financial transactions linked to TikTok, affecting monetization features and sparking debate over digital freedoms and economic opportunities for creators.