By Lilian Kariuki, Executive Director, Watoto Watch Network & Member, TikTok SSA Safety Advisory Council
In the digital age, trust is our most valuable currency. Every click,
comment, or share reflects a growing expectation that online spaces
should be safe, fair, and accountable. When those expectations are not
met, the consequences extend far beyond individual users, rippling
through families, schools, and communities.
Across Africa, millions of young people now access the internet as a
central part of their daily lives. It has become a portal for learning,
creativity, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. For many, the
internet provides opportunities that were previously unimaginable:
students can access global knowledge from a mobile device, young
entrepreneurs can reach customers across borders, and Change Makers can
share stories that would otherwise go unheard.
Alongside these opportunities, it is important to remember that online
spaces also have their own challenges. With awareness and the right
support, we can help ensure a positive and secure digital experience for
everyone.
Safety online cannot be reactive, it must be proactive. It should be
embedded in the design of policies, and reinforced by the guidance young
people receive from parents, caregivers, educators, and communities. In
practice, this means creating spaces where young people can explore,
create, and learn with confidence, knowing that safeguards are in place
and support is available when needed. It also requires equipping
children with the skills to navigate digital spaces responsibly,
evaluate information critically, and act with empathy.
This was one of the focus areas at the recently concluded TikTok Safer
Internet Summit in Nairobi, where I had the privilege of speaking about
the journey of successful collaboration in child online safety. The
summit highlighted proactive steps TikTok is taking to engage teens
responsibly and the importance of collaboration in shaping safety
policies. The key takeaway was clear: creating safer digital spaces is a
responsibility we all share, involving governments, civil society,
educators, parents, and users themselves.
A key plus in such forums is the tangible advantage of big tech working
closely with NGOs and regulators. These collaborations combine
technological innovation and scale with on-the-ground expertise and
policy insights. The result is practical progress that no single actor
could achieve alone: building trust and amplifying impact tailored to
Africa’s digitally vibrant community.
Africa presents unique opportunities and challenges in this regard. The
region is experiencing some of the fastest rates of digital adoption in
the world. Mobile-first connectivity allows young people to create,
share, and connect like never before. Yet this rapid expansion has
exposed gaps such as limited digital literacy, evolving child protection
frameworks, and vulnerabilities to online exploitation. These challenges
cannot be addressed by any single actor alone. Governments, civil
society, educators, caregivers, and industry all have a role to play,
and collaboration is essential.
Practical safety measures are critical, while platforms and policymakers
must prioritise protections that are accessible, clear, and enforceable.
Parents and caregivers must be aware of what children are doing online
and equipped to guide them without restricting creativity or
independence. Schools and governing bodies should integrate digital
literacy into school curricula, teaching young people not only how to
use technology but how to navigate it safely, ethically, and
thoughtfully.
But online safety is about more than policies and tools, it’s also
about culture. Every interaction online contributes to the environment
children inhabit. Respect, empathy, and accountability are as critical
as any technical safeguard. When communities collectively uphold these
values, digital spaces become not just safer, but more supportive,
inclusive, and empowering.
The stakes are high as young people who cannot trust the digital world
may miss opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, and civic
engagement. Families may hesitate to allow their children to access
technology, and communities may struggle to harness the benefits of
connectivity. But, when trust is earned and safety is embedded, the
digital world becomes a space for growth, creativity, and an opportunity
for African voices and stories to be heard globally.
The future of digital Africa depends on the choices we make today. By
treating online safety as a priority, not an afterthought, we can build
spaces where young people can thrive exploring, creating, and engaging
without fear. If we act collectively, we can ensure that the digital
world becomes a space that is not only innovative and open, but safe,
fair, and empowering for our future generations.
