Over half of the UK's 12 to 15-year-olds have faced some form of bullying, including cyberbullying over the last year. Research by the National Centre for Social Research found that 47% of young people reported being bullied at the age of 14. The Met website says that harassment requires a clear 'course of conduct', involving two or more related occurrences causing alarm or distress. A single communication may constitute a malicious communication if it's indecent, offensive, obscene, or threatening when sent to someone.
Matilda Khan, a London-born dentist, has faced cyberbullying and is now urging action against the alleged abuse of Muslim women on TikTok. Speaking to Asian Voice, Khan insisted that despite reassurances from police forces, this issue persists and demands urgent attention.
She emphasised the importance of representation and acceptance of immigrants in combating such abuse. According to her, “Police forces are working alongside TikTok to establish the seriousness of these crimes.”. Her efforts highlight the critical need for TikTok and law enforcement to take serious action against this alarming trend and ensure the safety of vulnerable communities online.
Khan’s own experience of being a cyberbullying victim made her determined to help others. She points out that TikTok has become a platform for exerting power and oppression, where cyber hate takes many forms, from abusive material to cyberstalking and harassment. “Despite the platform's community guidelines, it's nearly impossible to get hold of TikTok’s customer service, making it difficult for victims to report their abuse and get help,” Matilda told the newsweekly.
Khan also believes that the number of Asian representatives in UK political parties shows the need for greater support and action against online abuse. Khan has worked tirelessly to bring attention to the issue. She collaborated with Asian Express for a story last year, but little has changed. She believes that with more media coverage and public pressure,
Matilda said, “The Parliament can compel TikTok to strengthen its community guidelines and address the abuse.”
She underscored that sexual exploitation, character assassination, and bullying against Muslim women are daily occurrences on TikTok.” The platform's misuse leads to real-world violence and severe psychological impact, as seen in cases where victims have committed suicide due to relentless online harassment,” she claimed.
She calls for immediate action from the Home Office, police forces, and TikTok. She insists that reporting cyberbullying is crucial for investigations to proceed and for perpetrators to be brought to justice. Her campaign is a plea for safety, dignity, and justice for all women, particularly those from marginalised communities, who suffer disproportionately from online abuse.
Her message is clear, “TikTok must act upon reports swiftly and cooperate with law enforcement to stop the horrific abuse happening daily.” She urges the community to come forward and report incidents, assuring that the police will act on the intelligence provided. She aims to create a safer and more inclusive digital space for everyone. Khan is also liaising with Monika Plaha from the BBC and insists victims need to report the abuse to police. She believes the police are committed to investigating the issue thoroughly.
Last year, in October 2023, Asian Express uncovered TikTok's alarming abuse crisis, targeting women and minorities in the UK. Khan had condemned the platform's exploitation and harassment trends.
Asian Voice reached out to TikTok UK for an official statement but they told us that they need to understand the details of the victim’s experience on the platform and would like to get more details of such account handles and any screenshots of the hateful behaviour, cyberbullying, or exploitation that the victim has experienced to investigate properly and remove any videos, accounts, or comments that violate TikTok’s Community Guidelines.
Both MetPolice and NPCC did not comment on this matter when approached by the newsweekly.
