TikTokers caught in child abuse, identity fraud

Although adult websites are inaccessible in Pakistan, various social media platforms including TikTok are notorious for their obscene content. In recent times, however, these platforms have surpassed limits of acceptability by encouraging child abuse and catfishing.

In Swabi, an incident was reported where for the past three years, a male TikToker was impersonating a girl, creating an account under a fake female identity, making dance and vulgar videos, and misleading followers. Upon public complaints, the scam was uncovered. The individual behind the million-follower account was a man named Abdul Muqeet, who had been posting vulgar content while posing as a woman.

Aamir Khan, the in-charge of Bamkhel Police Checkpost, took immediate action and arrested Abdul Muqeet. During interrogation, the accused confessed to his actions and promised to refrain from such immoral activities in the future. In just one month, 11 TikTokers have been arrested in Swabi for producing vulgar content, including three female TikTokers.

Another shocking incident also came to light in Charsadda, where a TikToker befriended a minor girl through the app and later abused her. According to District Police Officer (DPO) Charsadda, Waqas Khan, the accused, Rizwan, was arrested by the City Police during a successful operation. The minor girl was rescued, and it was revealed that the TikToker had sexually abused her for over a month after luring her under the false promise of marriage.

Investigations by law enforcement revealed that many of these accounts were created solely to gain followers, at the cost of undermining Pashtun culture, values, and the youth. In Peshawar, a mother-daughter duo was arrested for producing and sharing immoral videos on social media. So far, 21 TikTokers including seven women have been arrested in Peshawar for spreading vulgar content.

In Mardan, a TikToker named Jamshed was arrested for indecent live chats with women. Jamshed was charged and made to sign a sworn statement promising not to engage in such activities again. So far, at least 49 TikTokers have been arrested in K-P.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Peshawar, Masood Ahmed Bangash, stated that the goal was not just arrests but also to reform the youth. "Social media should be used positively, as its misuse is harming society, creating enmities, promoting negative traditions, and eroding moral values. Therefore, police action is now necessary," explained Bangash.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, DPO Mardan, Zahoor Afridi felt that the public also shared the responsibility of discouraging such content. "They should not watch, like, or share such videos. Instead, they should report and block such content immediately. A special monitoring team has been formed to review both new and old videos, and take action against those promoting obscenity in society," said Afridi.

Social activist Saqib Rehman revealed that he had filed a writ petition in the Peshawar High Court. "The content being shared by TikTokers is corrupting the culture, traditions, and morals of society, by particularly misleading the youth, and even promoting drug abuse and gun culture," opined Rehman.

On the other contrary, Osama Khilji, a prominent digital rights activist, warned against moral policing by the state. "Only content that incites violence or endangers lives should be deemed illegal. Creators make content based on audience interest. Targeting women specifically impacts their right to online participation, which is a fundamental right," differed Khilji.