This archive report was first published on 25 September 2019.
Published on September 25, 2019, a viral video from a Kenyan primary school pupil has ignited intense commentary on modern-day parenting and value systems.
While the video's explicit content has raised eyebrows, many are not surprised by the child's brazenness. The ease of accessing the internet, particularly through mobile phones and last-mile fiber, has opened the floodgates of information, both good and bad.
Unfortunately, many parents and guardians are ill-equipped to monitor and restrict access to unfit content. Connected devices often serve as a distraction, providing unfettered access to a vast array of information. Keeping up with trends is challenging, with new apps, sites, and lingo emerging at an incredible rate.
Children learn from the actions of adults in their lives and are now influenced by the pursuit of likes, retweets, and views metrics. This can stoke the embers of childhood imagination and ambition, often leading to dysfunctional decision-making.
Groupthink, driven by a desire to conform and be part of a commonality, is strengthened by the ability to communicate and share remotely. Offline influences, such as graphic representations and images, also play a significant role in shaping young minds.
It will take a concerted effort to protect young minds, without falling into regulatory abuse, until they can be held legally responsible for their consumption choices and actions.
