What would Mandela say about children's safety in the digital age?

The internet has become an indispensable part of childhood in Kenya, opening doors to learning, creativity, and connection. Yet behind these opportunities lies a growing threat that demands urgent attention.

One in seven Kenyan children who use the internet had met someone offline after first connecting with them online, six per cent had shared intimate images or videos of themselves, and nearly two-thirds had never been taught how to stay safe online, according to a report on Evidence on Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

These are not just statistics. They are a stark reminder that while children's digital lives are expanding, efforts to keep them safe have not kept pace. These findings should give us pause.

They remind us that while technology has transformed childhood in remarkable ways, our responsibility to protect children has not changed.

This is especially true as we mark Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18 and reflect on the values that defined his life.

Mandela believed that the dignity and rights of every person must be protected, particularly those of society's most vulnerable members.

His words remain profoundly relevant today: "There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way it treats its children."

Mandela's words challenge us to ask a difficult but necessary question: If Mandela were with us today, what would he say about how we are protecting children in the digital age?

Mandela's legacy was rooted in the belief that every person deserves dignity, freedom, and protection from harm.

He reminded us that the true measure of a society lies in how it treats its children. While the challenges facing children have evolved since Mandela's time, that principle remains unchanged.

Today's children deserve the same protection online that we expect for them at home, in school, and within their communities.

For many young people, the digital world is now woven into everyday life. Children use the internet to study, communicate with friends, access information, and explore their interests.

Digital platforms have created opportunities that previous generations could only imagine. They have broadened access to knowledge and strengthened children's participation in an increasingly connected world. However, growing connectivity has also introduced new forms of vulnerability.

Online grooming, cyberbullying, identity theft, harmful content, and online child sexual exploitation and abuse are becoming increasingly common concerns.

Unlike many traditional forms of abuse, these threats can occur behind screens, making them difficult for parents, caregivers, and educators to detect.

In some cases, the harm can persist long after the initial incident through the continued sharing of content or ongoing online harassment.

For instance, a report on the Shocking Rise in Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children Across Africa indicates that up to 13 per cent of 12- to 17-year-olds in Kenya and Mozambique were threatened or blackmailed into engaging in sexual activities online.

This is why online safety can no longer be viewed solely as a technology issue. It is a child protection issue. As children spend more time online, the responsibility to safeguard their wellbeing must extend to digital environments.

The same principles that guide child protection offline should apply online: prevention, awareness, accountability, and timely support for those at risk. Parents and caregivers remain the first line of protection.

Open conversations about online experiences, clear guidance on responsible internet use, and supportive relationships that encourage children to report concerns can significantly reduce risks.

Equally important is ensuring that digital literacy programmes equip children not only with technical skills but also with the knowledge to identify unsafe situations and seek help when needed. Kenya has taken important steps to strengthen protection in the digital space.

The government has developed a National Plan of Action to Tackle Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and continues to work with partners to improve prevention, reporting, and response mechanisms.

These efforts recognise an important reality: keeping children safe online requires collaboration among government institutions, schools, communities, parents, technology companies, and civil society organisations.

Initiatives such as Safe Community Linkages for Internet Child Safety (Safe CLICS), led by civil society, demonstrate what is possible when communities, schools, government, and non-governmental organisations work together to protect children online.

By strengthening awareness, prevention, and response mechanisms, such initiatives are helping create safer digital spaces for children. Yet lasting progress will require a broader commitment from all stakeholders to ensure that children's safety keeps pace with technological change.

Mandela taught us that human rights must be defended wherever they are threatened. In the twenty-first century, that responsibility extends to the digital spaces where children learn, connect, and grow.

Let us recognise that protecting children online is not optional. It is an essential part of protecting their rights, their dignity, and their future. If we are to honour Mandela's legacy, we must ensure that every child is safe not only offline but online as well.

Aleesha Peermohamed, Education Manager, ChildFund Kenya, and Gerald Omumbo, Communications Specialist, ChildFund Kenya