Minister warns TikTok users: 'Cross the line and you will be taken to task'

Communications Minister Ioane Naivalurua has warned that people who misuse TikTok and other social media platforms should be held accountable.

He said users who crossed the legal line "need to be taken to task."

Speaking to reporters in Suva, Mr Naivalurua said TikTok remains a valuable platform for education, communication and the exchange of ideas, but its benefits are lost when it is used irresponsibly.

"The law is very clear. When you cross that line, then you need to be taken to task," he said.

Mr Naivalurua said Fiji already has laws that protect people online, including measures relating to online safety and cyber ethics, and stressed that responsible use of social media is critical.

He said platforms such as TikTok have both advantages and disadvantages, adding that users should educate themselves on how to use them appropriately rather than exploiting them in ways that harm others.

"It has its benefits and dividends... we should not misuse it. We need to educate ourselves on how it should be used," he said.

The minister's comments come after a video circulating on TikTok sparked widespread public concern.

The video, which showed a man engaging in an explicit act during an online interaction involving two women, has reignited debate about internet safety and the need for better education on digital responsibility.

Mr Naivalurua said TikTok can serve as an important platform for learning and sharing ideas but said he could not support its misuse.

Asked whether the Government was considering strengthening laws governing TikTok and other social media platforms, the minister declined to comment further, saying he would need more details before addressing the issue.