Parents and teachers in Busia county have been urged to embrace digital literacy to mitigate cyber bullying and abuse against their children.
While speaking during a workshop themed to commemorate the Day of the African Child at Breeze hotel on Friday, Executive Director for Watoto Watch Network Lilian Kariuki challenged the government to enact policies that advocate for internet governance for proper management of online content.
The three-day workshop, beginning on Friday, brought together child protection units and stakeholders at Breeze hotel to mark the Day themed ‘Right to Participate: Let Children Be Seen and Heard’.
“Our main objective as an organization is to ensure children are safe on the internet by creating awareness and sensitizing the public on how children can be protected in this age where all activities ranging from education, entertainment and socializing have been transferred online,” she said.
She noted: “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.”
Busia County Director of Children Services Esther Wasige in her end faulted poverty as a key factor that has resulted to a surge in online abuse in the country, with the trend worsening in border towns like Busia where child trafficking and defilement are already rampant.
“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.” Wasige said.
By Vostine Ratemo
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