Machakos, Kenya| The growing digital landscape is posing significant risks to children, with experts warning that excessive online time can lead to increased cyber threats, including cyberbullying, online grooming, and exploitation.
State Department for Social Protection Principal Secretary Joseph Motari, through a speech delivered by Shem Nyakutu from the Directorate of Children Services during the National Safer Internet Day celebrations at Machakos University, highlighted the urgent need for enhanced child protection measures in the digital space.
Motari emphasized that while the internet is a valuable tool for education and social interaction, it has also amplified the production and circulation of child sexual abuse materials.
He noted that online risks such as cyber-sex trafficking, sexting, and blackmail have become more prevalent, urging parents, educators, policymakers, and child protection officers to collaborate in creating a safer online environment for children.
Rising Online Dangers for Children
The Principal Secretary cited findings from the Disrupting Harm Study, revealing that 80% of children in urban areas are active internet users, with 6% having shared explicit images of themselves and 14% meeting strangers they encountered online in person.
These statistics indicate a growing vulnerability among children, making them easy targets for online predators.
Adding to the concern, Motari pointed out that artificial intelligence (AI), while beneficial in various sectors like healthcare, education, and climate change, is being misused to create manipulated images and videos for blackmail and exploitation.
He stressed the need for responsible AI deployment to prevent its abuse against minors.
Government and Stakeholder Interventions
To combat these rising threats, the government has taken significant steps to strengthen child online protection. Motari outlined various initiatives, including:
- The establishment of the DCI-AHTCPU (Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit).
- The formation of a Child Online Protection Department.
- The development of a training manual for social service workers on online child abuse.
- A Training Handbook on Investigation and Prosecution of Online Child Exploitation.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to formulating and ratifying international and regional legal frameworks aimed at safeguarding children from online dangers.
Call for Collective Action
Machakos Deputy County Commissioner Daniel Katee echoed the concerns about internet misuse, highlighting that criminal groups are recruiting children online and luring them into illegal activities.
He urged all stakeholders, including parents, to remain vigilant and encourage face-to-face family interactions rather than excessive screen time.
Machakos CECM for Youth, Sports, Gender, and Social Welfare, Sharon Mutua, reinforced the importance of a unified approach among policymakers, educators, and parents to create a secure digital environment for children to learn and thrive.
Safer Internet Day 2025
This year’s Safer Internet Day, observed annually on February 11, carried the theme: “Too Good to Be True? Protecting Yourself and Others from Online Scams.”
The event underscored the need for increased awareness and proactive measures to protect children and adolescents from the hidden dangers of the digital world.
With the internet playing an integral role in education and social development, stakeholders agree that ensuring children’s online safety must remain a top priority.
The call to action is clear: protect children, promote responsible internet use, and foster a safer digital future for all.
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