As the world develops rapidly, it is prioritizing technology among other fields. All countries are striving to have technology incorporated in all areas of life. However, as children are introduced to technology and gadgets, they may risk being exposed to violent or pornographic videos that are auto displayed or pop up as adverts as they watching cartoon, eventually influencing their character. As such parents are encouraged to monitor everything their children watch. Josephine Nyiranzeyimana, the Chief Information Officer at the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), has advice for parents. Most of the parents and guardians, especially in our context, tend to think that they were born before computers and so are too old to catch up with digital technologies, and sometimes would leave technology tools to the children and dont even bother to find out what they are using them for. This is not right, parents should do their best to ensure safety of children online and educate children about basics of online safety and responsible use of digital tools, she said. The information officer adds that parents should have a sense of responsibility, because in the aftermath, they will be the ones dealing with challenges brought about by the vice. “Parents and/or guardians should own the responsibility to continuously monitor and supervise the children using digital tools, or ensure that the device being used by their children are secured by appropriate software applications for content filtering and child protection”, she emphasizes. Christine Niyizamwita, the head of ICT department at Rwanda Education Board also reiterates that parents need to hear from their children their experiences before allowing them use technological devices. “The kids also need to share their journey in the digital world, what they discovered, what they’ve learned, as well as what didn’t go well”, she explains, citing that it is when the parents get to know the issue that they know how to approach and solve it. Effects of children’s online protection Niyizamwita goes on to explain the remarkable effects that are experienced when the child’s online protection is violated. For her, children are very much influenced by the type of role models and characters they mostly see. “We become what we eat. When the child online protection is not maintained, a child may be affected by online violence, misinformation, or be induced in inappropriate activities such as terrorism, drugs, or human trafficking,” she explains. Kristina Irion, an international IT officer and freelance writer also asserts that the violation may result into disrespectful behavior for the child because of disregarding society’s norms. Needless to say, she continues, pornographic content is all around on the web, when the child is exposed to this more, they are lured into sexual desires at an early age.
