As internet access spreads across Africa, children are increasingly exposed to digital risks like online predators, cyberbullying, etc.
African governments are making efforts to protect their youth and empower them to navigate online spaces safely.
Recent studies show an uptick in digital engagement among African youth, with internet usage rates varying significantly across the continent.
In Eastern and Southern Africa, over half (65 percent) of children aged 12-17 have accessed the internet in the past three months, though this figure ranges from just 25 percent in Ethiopia to a staggering 81 percent in Namibia, according to Safe Online.
In response, organizations like the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation (GISF) are tackling these challenges head-on, offering education and advocacy to protect children online.
In an insightful conversation with African Currents, Emmanuel Adinkra, President and Founder of the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation, shared his organization's efforts to protect young users from online risks and highlighted ongoing initiatives in his country and Africa to make the internet safer for all users.
"In Ghana, there are ongoing discussions and initiatives to get online safety inculcated or integrated in the school curriculum. It is always a challenge because these things come with a huge financial commitment to get that wish from drafting legal frameworks, from drafting the curriculum right down to adoption.
"So, it is a work in progress in Ghana and in most African countries [...]. You can talk about Kenya. You can mention South Africa. You can mention our good brothers in surveillance in Nigeria. They are making very good efforts to deal with COP related issues. Uganda is one, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Egypt, Tanzania, Namibia. All these countries are making good strides in ensuring children are protected," Adinkra noted.
To find out what else our guest had to say, tune in to the African Currents podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
