The increasing popularity of Internet use in the country has made children in the country become passive recipients of a lot of inappropriate information and contacts which expose them to additional risks of psychological, social and physical harm.
As we celebrate the day of African Child, parents and teachers in Busia County have been urged to embrace digital literacy to mitigate the online bulling for children who are exposed to the internet with minimal guidance.
Speaking at Breeze hotel during a three-day workshop that brought together child protection units and stakeholders, the Executive Director for Watoto Watch Network Lilian Kariuki challenged the government to enact policies that advocate for internet governance for proper management of content online.
“Our main objective as an organization is to ensure children are safe on internet by creating awareness and sensitize the public on how children can be protected in this age where all activities ranging from education, entertainment and socializing have been transferred online,” said Lilian.
According to the study by Watoto Watch Network, endemic poverty has been the driving force in the online abuse in Kenya, with the trend worsening in border towns like Busia where child trafficking, and defilement are already rampant.
“An estimated 10 percent of children in Kenya have been victims of online sexual abuse and exploitation, according to a study led by UNICEF published last year,” she added.
Her sentiments were echoed by Terr des Homme Netherlands project manager for action against child labour Evans Munga, who noted that there is need for awareness by all agencies to combat child labour especially along Busia and Malaba OSBP where the vice is at its peak.
“We have a lot to be done for the African child because, there is a lot of exploitation right from online sexual harassment, unsafe migration, child labour and FGM that we still fight at the moment,” he said
“Kenya is a hub of policies that are yet to be implemented for the safety of our children. We have a lot to reflect on especially with the emerging technological trends,” he added.
Busia County Director of Children Services Esther Wasige said Busia is a county that need special attention on the child labour mirage that is rampant across seven Sub counties.
“Children from families living in poverty go to school less often. They are extra vulnerable to forced labour, forced marriage and abuse as well as sexual and other types of exploitation,” noted Wasige the County Director of children services.
According to Terre des Homme, nearly 2 million children are forced to work in Kenya due to poverty and economic status. Most bars, hotels, brothels and minings are the leading exploiters of children in Busia.
The growing number of street children is also causing a sharp increase in the sexual exploitation of children and child labour.
“Children need technology for the convenience it offers in education, communication and entertainment. But teach them to make good judgment and empower them to separate profitable from profane content,” said Wasige.
By Absalom Namwalo
