Parents have been asked to monitor how their children use the internet and various technology, and encourage them not to compromise their values and beliefs.
Speaking during a cultural event organized by Nyakach elders, led by Prof. Raphael Kapiyo, to fete exceptional women in the community, Ida Odinga observed that technology, though rich in knowledge and educative material, it also had harmful content that could influence children negatively.
“Today we are seeing a lot of social deviance due to technology. Some of our children do not use it in the right way and get into websites where they interact with immoral content, such as pornography, that corrupts their minds. We parents ought to monitor what they do on the internet closely,” she said.
She noted that technology has ushered in social change and even some parents have fallen prey to being glued to their phones but opt to keep quiet so they can be regarded as modern.
Ida told parents to ensure their children use technology to sharpen their knowledge about specific subjects and also grow their intellectual skills and moral aptitude.
Mrs. Odinga expresses concern regarding the erosion of traditional cultures and urged residents to hold the community’s way of life close to heart and ensure they transfer it to their children to ensure continuity in generations to come.
“Even as we go digital, let us not forget that our culture is vital. We must not drop our culture in favour of Western culture,” she said.
Ida called on the elders to sensitize the youth uphold good morals and values that earned them and the community respect.
She further called out the men who prey on and impregnate young girls, decrying the high cases of teenage pregnancies which led to the girls dropping out of school.
Kapiyo reiterated Mrs. Odinga’s call to residents to endeavor to preserve cultural values and the importance of elders imparting cultural knowledge to the youth and children.
“Young people must be taught a lot of things, for example, at what age they should marry and how to behave in the society and co-exist harmoniously with others,” he said.
He noted that lessons by the elders will reduce juvenile delinquency and children will grow up appreciating their cultural values.
Also in attendance, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga decried the high incidence of teenage pregnancies.
“We are seeing a generation of children who cannot wait to mature before marrying and are in a rush hence the early pregnancies,” she regretted.
By Fredrick Odiero
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