By OMBOKI MONAYO
Maggie always thought her daughter was safe from harmful online content.
Then one day, shock hit her.
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Her daughter Cynthia had seen obscene adult video as she mingled with friends in their neighbourhood in the ever busy urban jungle that is Pipeline, Nairobi.
That evening, Cynthia came home looking upset.
“Cynthia told me she had seen a video on one of my neighbor’s phones while they were playing outside,” Maggie recalls.
After further discussion, Maggie learned that Cynthia’s friend had accessed inappropriate content on his father’s phone.
“It was such a shock to realize that children are not safe from harmful or even traumatizing online content,” Maggie said.
This incident prompted her to engage her children in a serious conversation about avoiding such videos and the importance of reporting similar incidents.
Now, she is much more vigilant about her children’s online activities and interactions.
Ms Elizabeth Njambi, a children’s rights advocate who founded the Wakilisha Initiative and co-hosts the Wakilisha podcast, emphasizes the seriousness of the issue.
“Allowing minors to access explicit or harmful content is an assault on their senses and minds, and should count as an act of sexual violence,” she explains.
Maggie’s case is not unique, and could easily occur in many other parts of the country where children can access mobile phones.
A report by datareportal.com indicates that Kenya had about 34.5 million smartphones in active use as of early 2024, reflecting a significant increase in smartphone adoption.
This surge is part of a broader trend, resulting from approximately 66.04 million total mobile connections in the country, with a penetration rate of 118.7 percent.
With close to 47 percent of Kenya’s population under the age of 15, many children have access to smartphones, either through personal ownership or family sharing.
The increased affordability and availability of these devices have motivated families to acquire smartphones primarily for educational purposes and communication.
Projections suggest that 10-15 million children may be using smartphones directly or indirectly, highlighting the intersection of youth and mobile technology.
While the growth in smartphone usage presents opportunities for learning and connection, it also poses challenges for online safety, particularly for children.
As more youth engage in digital platforms, risks such as cyber bullying, exploitation, and exposure to inappropriate content have increased.
Ms Athena Morgan, a child safety advocate and Regional Project Manager for the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children Africa, describes the online world as a chaotic playground.
“Digital safety is crucial as we send our kids off to the digital space,” she says.
With children aged 8 to 19 being particularly vulnerable, the need for action is clear.
Kenya’s mobile phone users are among the most active social media users globally, with approximately 10.5 million social media users as of January 2024, marking a threefold increase since 2014.
Over 99 percent of this activity occurs on mobile devices, with platforms like WhatsApp, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram being the most popular.
Surveys indicate that 70 to 90 percent of users regularly engage with these platforms for communication, news consumption, and community interaction.
Highlighting the lack of parental guidance, Morgan raises an important question: “Do we educate our children about the internet or hand them our smartphones unchecked?”
Experts recommend using parental control tools to monitor online behavior and limit screen time. For teenagers, open discussions about online risks are essential.
“Teenagers have different kinds of online risks,” Morgan notes. “We need to talk directly with them about the dangers.”
Kenya has made strides in protecting children online, particularly with the enactment of the Children Act 2022, which strengthens policies for child safety.
This law includes mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect and the establishment of Child Protection Units, which are specialized police units trained to handle cases involving children sensitively.
Despite these safeguards, challenges such as cyber bullying and underreporting of online abuses remain significant.
Ms Morgan points out that many people don’t know how or where to report crimes like human trafficking and online exploitation.
“People don’t know about resources like the 116 Child Helpline,” she says, referring to the helpline which is managed by the government through the Department of Children’s Services and Childline Kenya.
The platform can be used for reporting child abuse and trafficking among other crimes.
“Raising awareness is crucial so that Kenyans know help is available when children are in danger,” she points out.
The stigma surrounding issues like sexual exploitation can silence victims and their families.
Ms Morgan warns, “Online sexual predation and abuse are becoming major issues,” adding that fear of judgment often prevents people from seeking help.
Breaking this silence requires a community effort. Campaigns to raise awareness, educate parents, and provide accessible reporting mechanisms can empower families.
“Let’s ensure everyone knows there’s help available,” she urges.
Technological advancements are also helping to protect children online.
Tools like mSpy and Bark utilize AI and machine learning to detect risks in real time and allow parents to customize filters based on their child’s age.
On her part, Ms Njambi recommends that parents secure the content that minors watch at home.
“Parents should identify and activate the child protection features on popular content and broadcast sites such as YouTube, Netflix, and DSTV to ensure that minors only access appropriate content.”
Additionally, geolocation features, such as digital boundaries and location alerts, enhance online security.
Creating a safe online environment for children is a shared responsibility.
While parents play a crucial role, communities and legal systems must also take action.
The Children Act 2022 provides a strong legal framework for protecting children, and when combined with technological advancements, these resources empower families to create safer online spaces.
By encouraging open conversations at home, utilizing available tools, and raising awareness in communities, Kenya can lead the way in safeguarding its youth online.
As Ms Morgan aptly puts it, “Prioritizing the safety of our children online must remain at the heart of our efforts.”
