In a decisive move to protect children navigating the digital world, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has launched a new set of guidelines aimed at bolstering online safety for minors.
The Industry Guidelines for Child Online Protection and Safety in Kenya outline specific obligations for stakeholders across the ICT sector—including mobile network operators, broadcasters, content creators, and service providers—to implement both technical and policy-based safeguards. These measures are intended to shield children from online dangers such as cyberbullying, exploitation, radicalization, and breaches of personal data.
“These guidelines are designed to ensure that children in Kenya engage with ICT products and services in a safe and protected manner,” the Authority noted in the policy document, which reflects Kenya’s growing awareness of the risks young users face as internet access expands.
With children and teenagers making up a significant portion of Kenya’s online population, the CA is calling for a collaborative effort. The guidelines reinforce the message that ensuring a secure digital environment for minors is a shared responsibility, requiring the commitment of all players in the ecosystem.
Under the new framework, all licensed ICT firms and content providers are required to develop and publish child protection strategies. They must also introduce robust complaint resolution systems that are accessible to the public.
Some of the key directives include:
- Age-verification systems
- Child-friendly educational content
- Default high-privacy settings
- Strict adherence to Kenya’s Data Protection Act, 2019
Mobile service providers are further obligated to ensure that SIM cards accessed by children are registered in line with legal requirements. Meanwhile, content distributors must implement age-based content classification and enforce access controls to prevent exposure to inappropriate material.
A six-month compliance period has been granted to all current licensees, during which they are expected to align their services with the new regulations. For new entrants to the ICT market, the guidelines must be followed within six months of obtaining a license.
The Authority will actively monitor implementation through regular compliance reporting and oversight, with enforcement mechanisms in place for those who fail to meet the stipulated standards.
