Digital technology has already changed the world and technology use has firmly become a central defining feature of today’s life.
In the 21st century, digital technology has become an integral part of children’s lives which they cannot be separated from.
They need the internet in every aspect of their life, from learning in school to entertainment.
As the influence of digital technology, especially the internet, continues to increase, the call to help teens navigate the age safely is growing.
Youths (aged 15-24) are the most connected age group as 71 per cent in this age bracket use internet.
In some countries, children under 15 years are as likely to use the internet as adults over 25 years.
The constantly changing ways of technology to communicate has impacted children and their parents and they need to learn to live with it.
Parents have a big role in guiding and protecting their children through internet life. Unfortunately, some parents are ignorant.
They lament their teenagers' noses being constantly buried in their phones without doing much about it.
Teens will often turn first to their peers when they experience risks and harm online if they realize that their parents are ignorant of the same.
They then end up receiving inappropriate guidance.
Young people are also experiencing bullying online which they never tell anyone out of fear and embarrassment.
Predators are easily contacting unsuspecting children through anonymous and unprotected social media profiles and game forums.
Dismissing teens’ digital lives and confiscating technology doesn’t help to keep young people safe, it is equivalent to providing old solutions to new problems.
A strong and supportive parent-teen relationship based on good and open communication strategy needs to be implemented.
Healthy guidance on teens is needed to foster a sense of openness so that the teens will feel comfortable sharing their internet experiences with their children.
Digital life has massively influenced how teens communicate.
Researchers acknowledge that excessive use of digital technology can contribute to childhood depression and anxiety.
Conversely, children who struggle offline can sometimes develop friendships and receive social support online that they cannot receive elsewhere.
Efforts to support and protect children need to focus particularly on vulnerable and disadvantaged children who may not be able to understand risks which may include loss of privacy.
Student, Maasai Mara University
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
