The rapid advancement of technology and increased access to digital platforms has exposed children and young people in Kiambu County to rising cases of online exploitation and abuse.
In this regard, child protection stakeholders have warned that the growing use of smartphones, social media platforms, online gaming networks and Artificial Intelligence is creating opportunities for online predators to manipulate and target minors through harmful digital interactions.
Experts say that while technological innovation has transformed education, communication, and access to information, it has also contributed to increased exposure of children to dangerous online content and exploitation. According to child protection officers, online predators are increasingly taking advantage of the anonymity provided by the internet and the accessibility of electronic gadgets to manipulate children through online grooming, a growing form of child exploitation affecting minors globally and within Kenya.
Online grooming involves an individual building trust with a minor through digital platforms with the intention of sexually abusing, extorting or manipulating them into illegal activities. Perpetrators often use fake identities, commonly referred to as catfishing, on social media platforms, messaging applications and online gaming networks to deceive children and lure them into harmful interactions.
Government leaders and child protection stakeholders have raised concerns over the growing exposure of children to explicit sexual content, violence, drug abuse and dangerous online trends circulating on digital platforms. Early exposure to such content negatively impacts children’s mental health, moral development, behavior and social interactions, ultimately placing both individuals and society at risk.
Authorities have also expressed concern over the growing dependence on digital platforms among children, saying excessive screen time is gradually affecting how young people communicate, think, manage their time and interact with others. Many children now rely heavily on online platforms for education, entertainment and communication, limiting opportunities for healthy physical interactions and meaningful conversations with peers and family members.
Kiambu Sub-County Children’s Officer Mr. John Wachira emphasized the importance of parental supervision and responsible guidance in protecting children from harmful online influence and exploitation.
“Parents and guardians should implement responsible parental supervision and closely monitor the kind of media content their children consume. Restricting access to harmful and inappropriate platforms can significantly reduce children’s exposure to dangerous online influences,” said John Wachira.
He added that proper parental guidance plays a major role in preventing cases related to child exploitation, self-harm, drug and substance abuse as well as exposure to dangerous online trends targeting vulnerable children and adolescents. John Wachira further urged parents and guardians to pay closer attention to children below the age of 18 years by monitoring the amount of time spent on digital gadgets and guiding them on healthy online interactions and responsible social behavior.
According to recent records from the past one year, Kiambu County officially recorded one reported case related to online abuse and exploitation involving minors. However, experts believe the number could be significantly higher due to underreporting caused by fear, stigma, lack of awareness and limited digital literacy among victims and caregivers.
Studies further indicate that many caregivers in Kenya lack adequate digital literacy skills needed to guide children on safe internet use and online protection. Statistics show that up to 13 percent of minors aged between 12 and 17 years have experienced threats or blackmail online aimed at coercing them into sexual activities.
Research also reveals that perpetrators are increasingly targeting younger boys aged between 9 and 12 years through gaming networks and social media platforms, with reports indicating a 12 per cent rise in explicit messages targeting male minors. Additionally, an estimated 350,000 children in Kenya have their sexual images shared online without consent annually, while less than five percent of affected children formally report such incidents to authorities or national helplines.
Experts attribute the rise in online exploitation cases to factors such as poverty, inadequate knowledge on online safety, limited parental involvement and lack of proper guidance on personal boundaries and healthy relationships. Stakeholders say children should be trained on online protection, responsible internet use and the importance of reporting manipulation or inappropriate behavior whenever their boundaries are crossed.
As technology continues to shape modern society, child protection officers are now calling for collective responsibility among parents, schools, government agencies and communities to strengthen child protection measures and ensure children remain safe while navigating the digital world.
By Elizabeth Nyamotai