Searches on Google show people are scared, uncertain of their world

A young man checks a text message on his mobile phone. [Getty Images]

In the 11 years since I joined Google, I've seen a few periods of global uncertainty, including the increasing frequency of climate-related disasters, and a global pandemic. Each brought their own degree of uncertainty - and each time, we saw people turn to Google to seek out information to help them make decisions.

We are again seeing search trends that show people in Kenya are feeling unsure about the world around them. Fortunately, a lot has changed in the past 15 years that can help. In 2007, only 20 per cent of the world's population had internet access. Today, 95 per cent of Europe and 60 per cent of the world are online: with all the information, skills and support that technology can provide.