Board Urges Teachers to Champion Child Online Safety

The Kenya Film Classification Board has urged teachers, parents and caregivers to keenly monitor the content children under their care access on social media networks, broadcast channels and other platforms and guide them appropriately.

In cases where children have access to the internet and smart devices, parents should ensure minors do not access inappropriate content. 

Addressing directors, teachers and other stakeholders during the opening ceremony of the 26th  Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference of the Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA), at the Sarova White Sands Beach Hotel, Mombasa, the Board's Ag. CEO Christopher Wambua, also encouraged parents/caregivers to activate the safety features available on various platforms and smart devices used by minors in order to protect them from exposure to inappropriate content. 

Wambua observed that teachers and parents have a key responsibility to ensure minors make the most and the best of technology, including the internet.

"Parents, teachers and caregivers bear the greatest responsibility of ensuring that children under their care are not exposed to harmful content. Our duty as the Government is to ensure that we formulate and implement policies, programs and campaigns that will ensure safer spaces for children, especially online," he said.

In partnership with relevant public and private sector agencies, Wambua said that the Board will continue to empower parents/caregivers with the necessary skills and knowledge to enable them to help children navigate the online spaces safely. 

"If left on their own, children could easily fall prey to the dangers and risks that lurk on the internet. From exposure to pornographic materials to grooming and unwanted contact with pedophiles", he said.

Wambua stated that through the Parents Digital Literacy Programme (PaDIL), the Board has joined hands with Netflix, Tik Tok and Google to empower parents with the knowledge to undertake their parenting responsibilities effectively in an increasingly digital environment.

"PaDIL is premised on the fact that children have easy access to content available on various digital platforms as well as Kenya’s high level of internet penetration resulting in the use of ICTs, including social media, especially among the minors," he indicated.

Wambua urged teachers, parents/caregivers to take a keen interest in their children’s unique skills and talents, noting that the internet presents opportunities to nurture those talents. 

"Going forward, the Board intends to cultivate a collaborative partnership with KPSA and other stakeholders, especially in the implementation of the PaDIL as well as other Board's key programmes," the Ag CEO added.