Make it easy to ask for help
Talk regularly about the apps and games your family uses. Let children know they can come to you if something feels wrong, even if they clicked a link or broke a household rule. Respond calmly; fear of punishment can stop someone asking for help.
Set up devices together
Use age-appropriate accounts and review a service's age requirements.
Agree who can contact the child, add them to groups or see their posts.
Review camera, microphone, location sharing and public profile details.
Use parental controls and purchase approvals where appropriate. Explain what they do; they do not replace conversations.
Keep devices updated and protect accounts with unique credentials and recovery options.
Agree on a trusted adult to contact if a parent or carer is unavailable.
Discuss gaming and unwanted contact
Someone met in a game or chat may not be who they claim. Discuss requests to move to private apps, keep secrets, share personal images or buy gifts. Avoid publishing a child's school, routine, live location or identity documents. Ask permission before sharing someone else's photo.
If bullying, threats or blackmail happen
Reassure the person that the abuse is not their fault. Do not pay or send more content to meet a threat.
Record account names, URLs, dates and threatening text where safe. Do not download, copy or forward sexual images of a child.
Use the platform's report and block tools. Review privacy and account access.
Seek support from a trusted adult, school safeguarding contact or appropriate Kenyan authorities. For immediate physical danger, seek urgent local emergency help.
Support adults who are less confident online
Practise checking payment requests and opening official apps together. Agree to verify urgent family money requests by a separate call. Help with security settings without taking over accounts or keeping their PINs and passwords.
Use international resources appropriately
The parent resources below offer practical safety ideas. Their legal procedures and reporting services are country-specific; use Kenyan authorities and the relevant platform for local incidents.
Useful references
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