CA launches child online protection campaign

ICT industry regulator, Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has today launched a campaign on Child Online Protection to raise awareness of the types of crime that children are exposed to in the cyberspace.

Dubbed Be the Cop, the campaign highlights the role that parents, guardians and teachers need to play to protect children in cyberspace and at the same time provides avenues of redress should one encounter cyber-crime.

The Authority has partnered with other organizations that play a role in safeguarding children including Department of Children Services, The Cradle, Kenya Girl Guides Association, Kenya Scouts Association, Kenya Association of Professional Counselors, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Plan International and Childline Kenya. The Authority has also partnered with service providers Google, Orange, Airtel and Safaricom.

While launching the campaign at the Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association (KEPSHA) Annual Conference CA Director General highlighted findings from a study carried out by the Authority, “the study shows that teenagers are more concerned with cyber bullying while adults are more concerned that children and teenagers are accessing pornography. The study further reveals that parents, guardians and teachers seem to be unable to monitor what children and teens are doing online.” He added that findings from this study informed the campaign.

ICT Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Fred Matiangi who was the guest of honour at the campaign launch noted that the Internet is a global tool that provides us with endless possibilities however it also harbors criminals and the issue of protecting children is a global concern, “it is for this reason that in November 2008, the International Telecommunications Union launched established the Child Online Protection initiative to create an international collaborative network and promote online safety of children around the world.”

The Authority is mandated to regulate the ICT sector and at the same time protect consumers of ICT services including children.

The Child Online Protection awareness campaign will run for a period of three months in electronic, print, outdoor and online media.

Nairobi County hosts consumer ICT forum – Kikao Kikuu

Nairobi County has today hosted a County Consumer ICT forum dubbed ‘Kikao Kikuu’ at Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

Organized by ICT industry regulator, Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), the open forum provided an opportunity for consumers of ICT services to interact with service providers, consumer organizations, other government agencies and the Authority. 

The Authority used the platform to focus on  digital migration and more so to empower consumers with factual information on what is expected of them in the migration process.

Speaking at the forum, CA, Director General, Francis Wangusi noted, “This is among the many public sensitization platforms that we are using as an Authority to reach out to consumers on arising issues within the ICT sector.” 

He added, “Migration from analogue to digital broadcasting is an international phenomenon that does not affect Kenya only. I urge all Kenyans to purchase set top boxes so they can appreciate the exciting digital platform. I also urge consumers to differentiate between Free-to-Air and Pay TV set top boxes so that they can make an informed purchasing decision.”

The chief guest at the Kikao Kikuu Nairobi Governor, Dr. Evans Kidero, noted that as the country embraces new technology in all aspects of life, it is incumbent upon all citizens to set pace by being early adopters of the new technology.

He highlighted the various ICT initiatives that Nairobi County was undertaking. “We have already automated revenue collection in the city as well as implemented the e-payment system. Further, we are currently undertaking an ICT transformational roadmap 2014/15 that among other things itemizes several key ICT services in the county.”

Kikao Kikuu is a long term consumer outreach initiative that the Authority has undertaken to reach out to thousands of ICT consumers across the country. The Authority jurisdictions are well informed and empowered. 

Nairobi marks the fourth edition of Kikao Kikuu, others forums have been held in Machakos, Nakuru and Mombasa. Plans are underway to roll out to other counties in the year.