This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep children at home, the Kenyan government has expressed concern over the increasing cases of minors accessing inappropriate online content.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru noted that the pandemic has led to a significant increase in the use of technology, with most learning taking place online. This has put a strain on families, who are struggling to understand how to manage and control their children's online activities.
According to CS Mucheru, the Communications Authority and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will work closely together to ensure that children are protected online and parents learn how to filter websites from harmful content. Within the next 7 days, the two parties are expected to provide a clear roadmap on how to train internet users to keep the Kenyan cyberspace safe.
Experts warn that children are accessing the internet at a younger age, spending longer online, and are at greater risk of cyberbullying. It is estimated that 1.5 billion children are out of school due to lockdown measures, forcing them to go online for their schooling, social lives, and hobbies.
Parents are advised to pay attention to their children's internet habits and teach them how to surf the web carefully. Keeping a close eye on their child's online activities, including monitoring their browsing history and social media interactions, is also crucial.
Teachers are encouraged to keep the scope of assignments narrow and ensure that the websites they instruct students to visit are trusted. Parents should also have full access to their child's online credentials and educate them on the importance of online safety.
Published on June 23, 2020, by Reactor Review.
