This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
June 26, 2020 - The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a significant increase in the use of technology in Kenya, with most learning taking place online. However, this shift has also led to a growing concern among parents about the safety of their children online.
According to ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, the government has directed the Communications Authority to work closely with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to ensure that children are protected online and parents learn how to filter websites from harmful content.
Within the next 7 days, the Communication Authority and ISPs are expected to provide a clear roadmap on how to train internet users to ensure that the Kenyan 'cyberspace is safe'. Parents are advised to be vigilant and take steps to control what their children access online.
Experts warn that children are coming online earlier than their parents had intended, without the necessary skills to protect themselves from online harassment or cyberbullying. They recommend that parents pay attention to their children's internet habits and teach them how to surf the web carefully.
Parents are advised to keep their child's computer or tablet in a common area when they do their online work, and for older students, keep a close eye on any unusual charges. Educators are also encouraged to help protect children from online abuse by keeping the scope of assignments narrow and ensuring that the websites they instruct students to visit are trusted.
