TikTok, Autism Society Philippines and social media inclusivity influencers collaborate to champion their causes for National Disability Rights Week.

As part of National Disability Rights Week, TikTok, the world’s leading destination for short, mobile videos, harnessed its considerable influence to champion inclusivity. Partnering with Autism Society Philippines, the local government of Quezon City, and SM Cares, the platform drove social media advocacy forward through an event entitled “Adbokasya sa Social Media.”

With over a billion users worldwide and 49 million active users in the Philippines (41% of the population), TikTok has grown into a social media powerhouse. Previously highlighting its influence in business and social advocacy, the company is now turning its attention to championing the cause of inclusivity. “Adbokasya sa Social Media” seeks to leverage digital platforms for inclusivity by empowering advocates to amplify their voices and drive positive change.

In the event, participants were given insights and strategies to turn their social media presence into powerful advocacy tools. Its goal was to equip members of the disability community, NGOs, and government agencies, with the skills to build a purposeful online presence.

Champions for Social Media Advocacy

Speaking at the event were notable TikTok creators Mona Magno Veluz (Mighty Magulang), Chef Gelo Guison, Riyan Portuguez (The Millennial Psych), Your Tita Baby, and Mathilda Airlines. Each of the speakers shared their insights on leveraging social media for advocacy, discussing strategies for crafting impactful messages.

Mona Magno-Veluz, National Spokesperson of the Autism Society Philippines, focused on the role that content creators play in social media advocacy. 

According to Veluz, “To truly leverage social media for advocacy, your content must reflect a clear mission and genuine intent. It’s about more than just following trends; it’s about creating meaningful, engaging content that respects and represents the community. Authenticity and consent are crucial, especially when discussing sensitive topics like disability. We need to ensure our content not only resonates but also upholds the values of respect and inclusivity.”

A Safe and Inclusive Space

With 67.9% of Filipinos aged 16 to 64 considering TikTok their most-used social media platform, the opportunity for driving social change is immense. At the same time, TikTok remains aware of the responsibility it shares with content creators in its space. 

Bea Bautista, Communications Lead for Philippines and Malaysia at TikTok, spoke about the collective responsibility of creators, the platform, and users in maintaining a safe online environment.

“Creating a safe and inclusive space on TikTok is a shared responsibility,” Bautista said. “It’s crucial for creators, users, and the platform to work together to ensure a safe place where everyone can express themselves creatively and authentically. Your posts and interactions matter—by being mindful of what you share and engage with, we can all contribute to a safer and more respectful online community.”

Driving Social Change

While TikTok’s mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy, its role has been steadily expanding. With the average TikTok user spending one and half hours on the platform every day and half of Gen Z users using TikTok for search, it is at the forefront of change.

TikTok’s partnership with the Autism Society Philippines is part of its ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive environment online. TikTok provides a platform where diverse voices can be expressed, amplified, and heard.