Over 40 percent of children in Kenya are addicted to the internet social networks,” a report by Cradle reveals.
The statistics show that children’s online activities include downloading and listening to music using itunes, playing games and social networking in face book without revealing their identities, real names, residence, and age.
Speaking Tuesday during the Cradle’ launch, a children’s foundation aimed at promoting justice for children, the initiative manager, Brian Weke said the internet is rapidly become a central activity in the lives of children, a practice that exposes them to danger.
It also emerged that most of the children respondents accessed the internet at home through a computer or a phone hence seeking help from the social sites instead of adults.
An exploratory study conducted in Nairobi County last year confirmed that 53.7 percent of males frequented network social sites compared to 46.25 percent females.
The study further revealed that most of the children accessing the network social sites had been subjected to sexual suggestions or pornographic materials, received threats from peers or got into feigned opposite sex relationships which eventually got them into difficulties.
Speaking at the same function, Nominated MP Milly Odhiambo emphasized the need to honor the Kenya Communication Act which seeks to respect the rights of children by guarding them against derogatory remarks on broadcast media.
Energy And Information communications committee chairman, James Rege said the government has put in place legislations to curb the internet menace against children while CCK has invented a monitoring system to track down activities by children in the cyberspace, and the introduction of computers lessons in teachers’ colleges so that they can assist the young learners.
Cradle is a children’s foundation aimed at promoting Justice for children and was conceptualized in 2009 to create awareness on the use of ICT in children and identify resultant problems among children.
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