THE PROLIFERATION OF IMMORAL ACTIVITIES AMONG YOUNG WOMEN ON TIKTOK AND THE ROLE OF KANO STATE HISBA BOARD IN CURBING IT (2022 – 2024)

This study examined the proliferation of immoral content among young women on TikTok in Kano State between 2022 and 2024 and assessed the role of the Kano State Hisbah Board in addressing the issue. The study was motivated by growing concerns over the increasing use of TikTok by young women to share content considered inappropriate within the cultural and religious context of Kano State, including provocative dancing, indecent dressing, and suggestive conversations. The study aimed to assess the nature and extent of such content, identify the factors encouraging young women to participate in it, examine the measures adopted by Hisbah to control online immorality, evaluate public perceptions of Hisbah’s interventions, and suggest more effective strategies for digital moral regulation. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected from young women who use TikTok, Hisbah officials, religious leaders, and members of the public through questionnaires, interviews, and observation. The findings revealed that peer pressure, the desire for fame, financial gain, social influence, and exposure to Western lifestyles are among the major factors encouraging the creation of immoral content on TikTok. The study also found that Hisbah has adopted strategies such as public awareness campaigns, warnings, arrests, and online monitoring to address the issue. However, the findings showed that despite these efforts, immoral content continues to spread due to the fast-changing nature of social media, weak digital regulation, and the ability of users to bypass restrictions. The study concluded that a more balanced approach involving parents, schools, religious institutions, media organizations, and government agencies is necessary to address the problem effectively. It recommended stronger digital literacy programs, public enlightenment campaigns, parental guidance, and improved collaboration between Hisbah and social media stakeholders to promote responsible online behavior among young women.