Parents have been urged to play a critical role in the activities of their children online. This is coming as a result of a report stating that 38% of cyberbullying victims confided in their parents.
At a Facebook for Safer Internet forum in Nairobi, young people, influences, parents and safety experts discussed online child safety and explored ways to understand the challenges facing young people online.
The forum coincided with this year’s Safe Internet Day (SID) aimed at raising awareness about online safety for young people with the theme “Together for a better Internet”.
Mercy Ndegwa, Facebook’s Head of Public Policy, said the firm understands the need for online safety measures as the internet penetration deepens.
According to Ndegwa, millions of people across East Africa use Facebook and Instagram to share and connect with their communities. The firm offers a range of tools to give people full control and protect their online health.
Several tools were showcased at the safety centre aimed at assisting young people with its products. One of such is the Youth Portal which helps teens get a better understanding of Facebook’s products, hear from their peers and get advice on controlling their online experience.
Other tools filter comments which are deemed offensive or inappropriate and these include keyword filtering, sensitivity screens and bullying filters.
Lilian Kariuki, Watoto Watch Network Executive Director said his organization uses digital literacy to educate young people and parents on good online safety practices.
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