Terre des Hommes Netherlands launches online safety manual

Terre des Hommes Netherlands handbook launch in Nairobi

By Collins Orono

Children’s rights organization Terre des Hommes Netherlands and the Ministry of Education on Thursday launched the First KICD approved children and facilitators manuals for training on online safety and security.

The manual will ensure children develop in a safe environment with online safety.

Speaking during the launch, Mr. Rapheal   Kariuki, Africa Head of Region highlighted the key overall goal of the Safe Online Project is to prevent and respond to Online Child Sexual Exploitation in three main hubs Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

“The manuals will be used to create awareness among children, parents and caregivers to be able to identify, respond and prevent online abuse and exploitation as part of its Safe Online Project implemented in Kenya.” he added

The main components of the project include awareness creation, psychosocial support, capacity building and access to justice for the victims of online sexual abuse and exploitation.

The organization also stated that that it will partner with different agencies like the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Prosecution to deliver the project

This comes at a time when Kenya and the world at large are facing challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic with internet and mobile penetration getting into the hearts of children, exposing children to Online Sexual Exploitation.

Online learning has been the new normal since March 15th when schools were closed in Kenya due to Covid-19, thus leading to the tremendous rise of online activities by the young generation at home.

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Hon George Magoha representative Dr. Lydia Mucheru pointed out that it is a joy to finally come up with a curriculum after a long journey of research. The launch has come in a very sensitive time where the change in normalcy brought by Covid-19 has led to increased use of digital devices in learning.

KICD also appreciated the quality of the team to boldly take the step and bring in the manuals. This training will help children be aware that they can be digitally safe by going online and watching relevant things. Home confinement has played a big role in further exposing children to online abuse and exploitation.

¨We have taken child online protection and lessons to where the children are. There has been an exponential growth of use of digital devices. We are almost to get the strategy that brings together all stakeholders so that we harness a collective national effort and this manual is key in all the information we need. The National Cyber Security will also collaborate in this initiative to help parents be able to register sim-cards for minors. ¨ The Communication Authority of Kenya(CAK), Madam Patricia Muchiri added.

Through the manuals, parents and caregivers across the country will need to have an urgent sensitization on how to monitor and supervise online activities undertaken by their children.

Terre des Hommes Netherlands is a development child rights organization dedicated to stopping child exploitation.