Use internet responsibly, Kenyans told

Kenya yesterday joined the rest of the world in marking Internet Day.

Sports, Culture and the Arts Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario urged Kenyans to play their part in promoting safe, responsible and positive use of digital technologies, particularly in the interest of vulnerable groups such as children and the youth.

He said the internet technology had become an amazing outlet for free speech, innovation and a source of prosperity, and noted that it affects people's lives in both predictable and unpredictable ways.

Regulations against others could boomerang on such initiative by our products facing retaliatory censorship as well- Bitange Ndemo (PHOTO: COURTESY)

Dr Wario, who was speaking during a meeting in Nairobi, urged Kenyans to reflect on the theme of this years Internet Day: 'Play your part for a better internet.'

Addressing the same event, Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) CEO Ezekiel Mutua said concerns had been raised about children playing computer games that are full of violence in cyber cafes, and wondered why parents tolerate this.

 Mr Mutua further said a study by KFCB had established film content is being used to advance pornography.

"We also have evidence at our disposal that there are groups and individuals who are using film content to propagate extremist ideas that have the potential to lure the youth into crime and terrorism," he said.

KFCB Chairman Jackson Kosgei termed as disturbing claims that the board is against over-the-top service providers such as Netflix.

Bishop Kosgei the board is concerned by the content distributed Netflix, which he said "does not meet the threshold dictated by our moral standards".

Former Permanent Secretary Bitange Ndemo warned that censoring content from other countries might turn out to counterproductive.

"It is hard to regulate the internet and I am told Buni TV for instance is doing brisk business in the US and West Africa. Regulations against others could boomerang on such initiative by our products facing retaliatory censorship as well," he said and urged film makers to start eyeing the seven billion people world market besides the 40 million local market.