Parents told to monitor minors on online sites
Parents have been warned against allowing their children unfettered access to online sites, lest they fall prey to cyberbullying and crime.
Nyeri County Children Officer Kung’u Mwaniki says that due to the long school vacations, many children with access to smartphones, laptops and personal computers could use their free time to log into unsafe sites, some rife with online bullying.
Mwaniki has also advised parents and guardians to be on vigil over their children during the holidays as one way of minimising the minors from falling into any form of abuse. “Children should be under watch for 24 hours a week, even when they are going to the toilets, playing or doing errands. I must also point out something we are calling online sexual exploitation which can happen even in your own living room,” he said.
Psychological pain
According to the United Nations International Children’s Fund (Unicef), skipping school is one common effect of cyberbullying that can affect the mental health of children, who turn to substances like alcohol and drugs or violent behaviour to deal with their psychological and physical pain.
The aftermath of cyberbullying on mental health can vary, depending on the medium through which it happens with bullying via text messaging or through pictures or videos on social media platforms being cited.
Mwaniki also called for an all-out war against the abuse of children, noting that the government may not be in a position to eradicate the vice alone.
He noted that while remarkable milestones have been achieved in safeguarding children against various forms of violence, such as physical, mental and sexual, much remains to be done. “Violence against children in Nyeri is prevalent and the vice is happening right from their homes, schools and even in places of worship. We have launched the 2019-2023 “Violence against Children Report” and we have sensitized stakeholders to help us deal with this problem. We need to create safe havens for children.”
The officer has also welcomed a move by the Ministry of Education calling for the abolition of boarding schools for learners in Grades 1 to 9, saying the move will enable parents to mentor their children before joining the senior school.
Early this month Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang’ announced the government is planning to scrap boarding schools for students in Grades One to Nine.
