THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD, 16TH JUNE 2023
Today, as of May 2022, there were about 590 million users (43% internet penetration) in Africa. Kenya's internet penetration rate stood at 32.7% of the total population at the start of 2023. As the spaces on social media keep opening, we keep on exposing our children to greater risks that will violate their rights. We do not have clear regulations and mechanisms that control various social media platforms. For instance, children's access to contents on tiktok, facebook, instagram, whatsapp, you tube and internet looks attractive to young people and they are glued by the technological innovations. The young are also more knowledgeable than their caregivers and this puts them at more risk. There is need therefore for the government to enrich policy and policy agencies to ensure that child protection is guaranteed. Otto Benecker Foundation, joins other partners on 16th June to celebrate the Day of the African child in the digital era and offers suggestions for more enhanced protection of young children by our duty bearers. Nairobi County celebrations will be conducted at Mathare special school, and it brings together over 50 partners. Nairobi Cluster (Otto Benecker Foundation, Imarisha Kenya and Kreative Generations) will enhance voices of our adolescents by encouraging them to speak out to the world through magnet theatre, dances and public speaking.
