Why parents must be equipped for the digital world
A girl uses a cellphone. In an era dominated by technology, the responsibility of protecting children goes beyond the government, parents and guardians.
Picture this. You walk past your child’s screen and catch a glimpse of something unusual. The moment they sense your presence, they swiftly close the tab and replace it with an educational site. You nod approvingly and walk away, convinced that your child is on the right track.
Today’s children are digital natives, practically born swiping and scrolling. According to a 2023 Unicef report, children and young people under 25 make up one in three internet users worldwide.
While some parents may believe their children are using the internet solely for learning and entertainment, the reality is more complex. Studies indicate that 70 per cent of children aged eight to eighteen have inadvertently encountered violent or sexually explicit content online. Social media algorithms, designed to maximise engagement, can quickly lead young users down rabbit holes of harmful content, including misinformation and cyberbullying.
Many parents trust that parental controls are effective. However, children today know how to bypass these safeguards. A Microsoft study found that 67 per cent of children aged 10 to 18 know how to hide their digital footprints from their parents, using incognito mode and creating multiple social media accounts. The dangers are not always obvious. Beyond explicit content, children are exposed to cyber predators, scams and radicalisation. Interpol and Europol reports indicate that online child exploitation cases have surged by 400 per cent in the past decade.
In Africa, internet penetration is increasing rapidly. As of 2023, there were over 600 million internet users across the continent. While this presents incredible opportunities for learning and development, it also exposes children to greater risks.
Social media
A 2022 report from the African Union showed that over 60 per cent of African youth aged 15-24 use social media daily. Yet, a significant gap exists in the understanding of online safety among parents.
By equipping parents with skills to monitor and guide their children, we can begin to close the knowledge gap.
In South Africa, for example, the government has rolled out programmes that teach parents the basics of internet safety, social media awareness and online privacy. In Kenya, ChildFund has trained over 20,000 parents, including 1,800 boda boda riders in Mombasa, Kilifi, Nairobi and Kiambu counties to create awareness among parents through chief’s barazas on online safety.
Banning the internet is not feasible. The key lies in promoting digital literacy and fostering open conversations. Parents should be present, not just vigilant. While parental controls can be helpful, they shouldn’t be relied upon as the only measure. It’s better to combine tech tools with active involvement. Set reasonable screen time limits, engage in co-viewing and use monitoring tools that provide insights without infringing on your child’s privacy or trust. In addition, we must hold tech companies accountable. They created the platforms and should control them, fully aware of the consequences. Despite well-documented risks, investment in online child safety has not kept pace with the problem. As of 2021, 30 African countries had no laws or policies on cyber security.
Safer Internet Day marked on February 11 serves as a wake-up call for parents to be actively involved in their children’s online affairs.
Mr Ngugi is Africa Regional Director, ChildFund International. [email protected]