Mother Of Three Files PIL Seeking TikTok Ban Again

After the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court lifted the ban on Tik Tok, another Public Interest Litigation has been filed against the App in Bombay High Court. Heena Darwesh, a mother of three minor children, moved the High Court to ban Tik Tok as it affects the young minds with its offensive contents. The PIL claims that TikTok affects the minds of youth and children by its offensive sexual contents, causes mental and physical health issues often leading to death and spreads controversial messages that affect religious unity and diversity of the country.

The PIL was filed on November 11, approximately six months after a similar plea was filed in Madurai Court. The PIL is likely to be heard today by Justices S.C. Dharmadhikari and R.I. Chagla.

Key Takeaways:

• Heena Darvesh, a mother of three, filed a PIL against TikTok in the Bombay High Court on November 11.
• She alleged TikTok of offensive sexual content that harms the minds of the youth and children.
• The PIL also stated that TikTok affects mental health and has caused many cases of serious injuries and death due to physical injuries incurred while making the TikTok videos.
• Heena Darvesh has alleged that TikTok spreads enmity among religious groups through controversial videos and affects the diversity of the country.
• The PIL is likely to be heard today before the Justices S.C. Dharmadhikari and R.I. Chagla.

Besides the harm to children, Heena Darvesh has also alleged that TikTok has caused an alarming rise in the cases of mental health issues and physical injuries often leading to death.

TikTok harms the youth and children through its offensive contents

Heena Darvesh, who is a mother of three young children, is mindful of the harm that TikTok can cause to children. According to The Hindu, In the PIL against TikTok filed at the High Court, she states, “TikTok is being used as a medium of unfiltered sexual content, and harming youths of the country. The App is affecting young people, especially children, by causing addiction issues leading to degraded mental health.”

According to Times Of India, She also recalls the petition filed earlier this year at the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court that alleged TikTok of its pornographic content and its potential to expose children to sexual predators.

Increased mental and physical health issues among TikTok users; often resulting in deaths

Besides the harm to children, Heena Darvesh has also alleged that TikTok has caused an alarming rise in the cases of mental health issues and physical injuries often leading to death. “TikTok has resulted in several criminal incidents, including deaths in some instances,” the PIL states. Through her petition, Darvesh urges the High Court to direct the government to look into the records of deaths caused due to accidents while making the music videos on TikTok.

Also Read: Mental Health: A Primer Is A Milestone In My Journey To Raise Awareness

Heena Darvesh has alleged that TikTok spreads enmity among religious groups through controversial videos and affects the diversity of the country.

TikTok spreads religious hatred

The PIL also condemns TikTok of spreading religious hatred among people and defaming the country and it’s Prime Minister. The PIL stated, “hatred, disbalance and enmity among religious groups and has affected the country’s diversity.” In July 2019, two FIRs were filed in Mumbai following a controversial video/audio that sparked enmity among the religious groups, it stated further.

TikTok ban lifted in April 2019

The petition filed in Madras in April moved the Tamil Government to impose a ban on TikTok. However, the owner of the Chinese mobile application TikTok, Bytedance (India) Technology Private Limited, filed a defence in the Supreme Court underlining the huge business and profit, and freedom of creativity and expression that TikTok provided. It also assured of not allowing any offensive content to go viral from the platform. The Supreme Court refused to issue a judgement on the matter and asked the Madurai Bench to decide who ultimately lifted the ban.

Rudrani Kumari is an intern at SheThePeople.TV

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