As Internet usage in Kenya grows to over 3.5 million users, concerns are now emerging that an increasing number of children are being exposed to harmful sexual and pornographic data. Current laws in Kenya do not adequately address issues such as children’s exposure to pornography.

Over 18 million Kenyans, including children, have access to mobile phones and according to a recently commissioned Rapid Assessment Report mobile phones were the most used technology in social networking among children, followed by e-mails. According to the report only 24 percent of the children who took part in the study reported cases of abuse to their caretakers. Only 5% of the sampled cyber cafés in Nairobi’s Central Business District and estates had displayed warnings on pornographic materials within their premises.

Source: Internet risks real for Kenyan kids, Capital News, November 24, 2009

Tags: Kenya, online child safety