What should be done to secure the digital environment for children

A pupil at Children in Freedom School during an online Yoga lesson at their home in Lanet Nakuru County on April 20,2020. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

On June 16,1976, thousands of children in Soweto, South Africa, marched peacefully in protest over poor-quality education. Heavily armed police reacted by firing teargas and live ammunition, injuring and killing innocent students. The killings resulted in riots that turned into a country-wide uprising.

In recognition of the children's bravery and contribution to good governance, the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union (AU), dedicated June 16 as the Day of the African Child to raise awareness on the key issues affecting children. The latest issue relates to children and the digital world. The digital environment has become the new battleground for children's rights and freedoms. With this realisation, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) chose "The Rights of the Child in the Digital Environment" as the theme for this year's Day of the African Child commemoration.