Introduction 

Online Safety CSOs Forum in collaboration with the Directorate of Children Services (DCS) are pleased to host a roundtable discussion for joint deliberation between stakeholders on child online protection and explore areas for improvement.

Background Information 

According to the Disrupting Harm Household’s survey, 55% of children aged 12-13, 62% of children aged 14-15, and 83% of children aged 16-17 in Kenya are internet users. The digital environment has become an integral part of children’s lives and has brought opportunities for learning, connection, self-expression, entertainment, reference, and socializing. 

While digital connectivity has allowed children to explore a vast world of experiences and opportunities, it has also exposed them to technology-facilitated abuse and exploitation, including online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA). Incidents of OCSEA are growing at an alarming rate, especially with criminals using sophisticated technologies to lure children. The incidents are often exacerbated by inadequate awareness among parents and caregivers since many children engage with digital platforms without guidance. 

The impact of OCSEA on victims is profound and multifaceted, leading to serious emotional, psychological, and social consequences. Some of the psychological effects include anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which can stem from the abuse itself as well as from the feelings of shame and isolation accompanying such experiences. Victims may also exhibit behavioural problems such as aggression, withdrawal from social interactions, or risky behaviour which can affect their performance in school and other social settings. These effects of OCSEA can persist into adulthood, affecting mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life. 

As a result, there is an increasing demand at both international and national levels, to have a user-centric approach in the design of technologies that prioritize children’s safety and well-being. Safety by design is a concept that prioritizes user (child) safety and rights in the design and development of products and services, particularly in digital environments that ensures the children’s safety and well-being.

By embedding safety principles into the system design and development process, stakeholders can create safer online environments that significantly reduce the risks of OCSEA while enhancing children’s ability to engage positively with digital technologies.

Objective 

The objective of the roundtable discussion is to create a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue and collaboration on strategies to enhance online child safety. 

The roundtable discussion will target 50 participants from different stakeholder groups: The technical community, government, CSOs, Academia, Parents, and Children. 

Expected Outcomes of the Roundtable Discussion

1. Strengthened Online Child Safety Measures
2. Establishment of a Collaborative Framework for sharing online child safety resources and information 
3. Actionable policy recommendations addressing the gaps in current legislation related to OCSEA and online child protection.

Programme

DAY ONE: THURSDAY, 5th DECEMBER, 2024.
Time	Session	Facilitator
8:30 am – 9:00 am	Arrival and Registration
9:00am – 9:30am	Meeting Preliminaries  Introductions  Sharing expectations Round Table objectives  Opening Remarks	Childfund  DCS NCCS
9:00 am – 10.30am	Evidence sharing on Internet and Children What does evidence tell us about safety of children online – Disrupting Harm, SCROL and Safe Clics Assessments	TBC
10:30am – 11:00am	Health Break	ALL
11:00am-12:00pm	Children Voices on Online Safety  The Internet we (children) Have! Children interaction and experience of the online environment  The Internet we (children) want!	Children
1:00 pm – 2:00pm	Lunch Break	ALL
2:00pm – 3:30pm	Duty Bearers Response to Children Voices  ISPs, Telcos and SMSPs response to the internet Children Want!	TBC
3:30pm – 4:00 pm	Way forward	DCS

DAY TWO: FRIDAY, 6th DECEMBER, 2024.
Time	Session	Facilitator
8:30 am – 9:00 am	Arrival and Registration
9:00am – 9:30am	Meeting Preliminaries  Recap of Day 1 Remarks	TBC
9:00 am – 10.30am	Evidence sharing on Online Safety  Evidence from Disrupting Harm, SCROL and Safe Clics Assessments	TBC
10:30am – 11:00am	Health Break	ALL
11:00am-12:00pm	Sharing on desired online Safety Protocols and Collaboration  Government  commitments to Online Safety  Expectation of ISPs, Telcos and SMSPs in promoting Online Safety	TBC
1:00 pm – 2:00pm	Lunch Break	ALL
2:00pm – 3:30pm	Online Safety Protocols  ISPs, Telcos and SMSPs share on their Safety Protocols to keep children safe  Reflection on what ISPs, Telcos and SMSPs are doing right What can be improved	TBC
3:30pm – 4:00 pm	Way forward	DCS