Parents and guardians have been urged to monitor what their children watch on social and other electronic media to protect them from harmful content.
The Kenya Film Classification Board said it is important that parents, guardians, caregivers and other stakeholders remain vigilant to ensure the content their children consume on television, social media platforms, and other broadcast channels does not corrupt their morals.
KFCB North Rift regional manager Emmanuel Mbutu also urged parents to appropriately guide their children on media content to safeguard their welfare.
“This will help safeguard children from being exposed to harmful film and broadcast content, immoral behaviour, and adult experiences, especially now they are home for the holiday,” he said.
Mbutu said some of the content the children were being exposed to on various media platforms contained violence, sex, obscenity and nudity.
“The children are also exposed to content promoting the use of prohibited drugs and other substance abuse, crime promotion, foul language, radicalisation, propaganda for war, hate speech and incitement that may influence the children negatively,” the regional manager said.
"We call upon parents, guardians, caregivers, the media, PSV content creators, distributors and exhibitors as well as artists to act responsibly and professionally in safeguarding the welfare of children and preventing corruption of their moral values," Mbutu said.
The board also put on notice PSVs fitted with LCD screens that stern action would be taken against them if found exhibiting explicit musical content to their passengers who may include children.
“PSVs fitted with LCD screens must register with the board and ensure they only exhibit acceptable content as per the film and stage Act,” Mbutu said.
He said officers from the board will closely monitor PSVs fitted with LCD screens to ensure they strictly adhere to the law, “and those found violating the rules will lead to legal action being taken against them."
According to the Film and Stage Plays Act Cap 222, section 12(1) no person shall exhibit any film at an exhibition to which the public are admitted unless they are registered as exhibitors and issued with a certificate, he reminded.
He said those violating the law risk a fine of not more than Sh100,000 or imprisonment of not more than five years, or both.
The regional manager also cautioned video gaming joints to desist from exposing children to graphic, violent and other offensive content.
“Protecting the children from exposure to harmful film and other media content is a concerted social responsibility so that the future of our children is safeguarded,” he said.