Mohamed Henedy: "TikTok" Threatens Minds and Distorts Concepts of Success for New Generations

Artist Mohamed Henedy warned about the repercussions of the declining content on the "TikTok" platform, considering it a danger to the collective mind of society and changing concepts of success among the youth. This came in his comments on the recent crisis related to the Egyptian authorities' crackdown on several content creators on the platform.

Henedy wrote on his "Facebook" page in response to media figure Mahmoud Saad's discussion of the crisis: "The problem is not in public taste or state intervention; the problem is much deeper... a certain type of populist content, which contains public dialogue, public insults, and sexual innuendos, has become appealing to very large segments of people."

He added that this type of content attracts a wider audience than cinema and television, prompting some to leave their work and turn to the platform, saying: "With every like and view, others decide to leave their jobs to do the same."

He continued to explain the path of decline: "At first, it is just a simple live broadcast, but with a lack of funds, some resort to more degrading content to attract views... and the disaster? The audience is there!"

Henedy confirmed that "TikTok" has become the leading platform in Egypt and the Middle East, where some content creators have turned into stars who are honored and appear in advertisements and festivals, causing a dangerous change in society: "The new generation believes that this is success, while others feel frustrated... One person works 12 hours a day, and another insults on platforms and earns ten times more than him!"

Despite confirming that he is not in favor of banning, he pointed out that there is a "huge imbalance affecting minds and awareness, impacting the very shape of society... a real and dangerous impact on entire generations."

Henedy's warning comes alongside intensive security campaigns launched by the Egyptian Ministry of Interior against violating content creators on "TikTok", after receiving reports from citizens and lawyers accusing them of publishing "indecent clips" and encouraging behaviors contrary to values. There have also been calls to urge the authorities to ban the platform in Egypt.