Schoolchildren will be home for close to two months, probably the longest holiday in the academic calendar since the onset of Covid-19.
The greatest worry for parents, guardians and caregivers is the likelihood of children being exposed to inappropriate content, as the long holiday coincides with the December and New Year festivities.
In a rapidly advancing tech-savvy society, children have access to all manner of film and media content as well as gaming activities at the click of a button.
While media and technology have their positive aspects, they also pose a lot of risks to minors. It is, therefore, necessary for parents to monitor and guide their children on content consumption.
It is worth noting that the World Health Organization has included ‘gaming disorder’ in the recent revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health.
Beyond exposure to inappropriate media content, there are many other challenges that should concern parents and authorities, especially during the festive season.
During festivities, if not well monitored and/or guided, minors are easily influenced into vices such as alcohol and drug abuse, access to pornographic material and sex.
The recent report that more than 12,000 students in Kirinyaga county had tested positive for sexually transmitted infections is more likely than not a reflection of the reality on the ground in many other counties.
It is also a pointer that something is definitely not right as far as the inculcation of moral values in our young people is concerned.
Cases of schoolchildren arrested for alcoholism are a wake-up call to parents/caregivers/authorities and society at large, to be more vigilant and provide requisite advice and guidance to children.
It is also during long holidays that children attend disco matanga, especially in rural areas. While disco matanga in itself is a cultural practice among certain communities, the involvement and admission of children to this nocturnal activity is unfortunate.
Organisers of disco matanga and other cultural events ought to ensure that children are kept away. Similarly, operators of video dens and gaming shops should not admit underage children.
The festive season is also the time when many children go missing, are defiled or are killed in unclear circumstances. Parents, caregivers and society at large, therefore, need to be extra vigilant and monitor the activities that children engage in.
Parents should take advantage of the parental controls available on ICT devices and media platforms to keep their children from accessing adult material. They should also set screen time rules and encourage their children to engage in other social activities such as sporting.
It may not be easy but while children are on holiday, parents must remain vigilant and should monitor their whereabouts and the company they keep to stop them from going astray.
Importantly, relevant government and private sector agencies such as the Kenya Film Classification Board, Nacada and security agencies, among others, should heighten awareness of children’s safety and take action against people who violate children’s rights and spaces.
Remember, protecting children from harmful material and other risks is not a one-off activity but a collective responsibility.
Communications strategist
