Introduction A solemn vigil was held in Nairobi to honor the life of Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a Nigerian content moderator who tragically passed away after being unable to return home for two years. Olubunmi worked for TikTok through Teleperformance Kenya, a company contracted to moderate online content. Reports from colleagues indicate that he had been experiencing extreme fatigue and was desperate to reunite with his family, raising serious concerns about the working conditions faced by content moderators.
The Life and Struggles of Olubunmi Olubunmi dedicated himself to the demanding role of content moderation, reviewing and filtering graphic and harmful content on social media platforms. The job, while critical to ensuring online safety, is known to have significant mental and emotional tolls.
Colleagues revealed that he frequently spoke about his exhaustion and longing to return home, yet logistical and employment constraints kept him in Kenya. Despite the nature of his work, it appears that little was done to address his deteriorating condition, leaving him to battle fatigue alone.
Challenges Faced by Content Moderators Content moderation is often an invisible and underappreciated job, but those in the industry endure grueling shifts, exposure to disturbing content, and limited mental health support. Key challenges include:
- Psychological strain: Daily exposure to harmful content, including violence and explicit material, can lead to mental health struggles such as anxiety, PTSD, and depression.
- Long working hours: Many moderators work extended shifts with limited breaks to meet the high demand for content filtering.
- Job insecurity: Content moderators are often employed through third-party outsourcing companies, limiting their rights and benefits compared to direct employees of tech giants.
- Restricted mobility: Many moderators, particularly those employed in foreign countries, face bureaucratic hurdles that prevent them from traveling home freely.
Call for Better Working Conditions Olubunmi’s death has reignited calls for tech companies and outsourcing firms to improve working conditions for content moderators. Advocacy groups are urging companies like TikTok to:
- Provide adequate mental health support and counseling services.
- Implement fair contracts that respect employee mobility and well-being.
- Reduce workload intensity and introduce AI-driven moderation support to lessen human exposure to harmful content.
- Ensure fair wages and employment protections for outsourced workers.
Conclusion The passing of Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi is a tragic reminder of the unseen struggles faced by content moderators worldwide. As social media platforms continue to rely on human moderation to maintain safe digital spaces, it is imperative that the welfare of these workers is prioritized. Moving forward, greater transparency and stronger labor protections are needed to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
