Mobile operators in Kenya have demonstrated their commitment to working together to provide a safer and more reliable online experience for the country’s young citizens through signing the Childs Online Protection (COP) Charter.
Under the agreement, Airtel, Jamii Telecommunication, Safaricom and Telkom Kenya will work together with the country’s regulator to foster a culture of safe and responsible use of the internet and other ICT’s via educational and awareness programmes, integrating children’s rights considerations into corporate policies and management processes, and supporting government, law enforcement agencies, civil society, and other stakeholders to tackle online abuse of children.
Measures that will be put in place will include a support hotline for young citizens seeking information or emergency assistance on online safety matters.
As part of the awareness campaign, the operators will collaborate with the Communications Authority (CA) of Kenya to produce an information booklet targeted at young people in Kenya.
The campaign will also be promoted via sponsorship of National Music and Drama festivals focused on online safety.
The signing of COP Charter marks the first stage in the launch of GSMA’s We Care campaign in Africa that is aimed at ensuring a safe online environment for children and young citizens in Kenya.
Through the GSMA’s We Care Initiative, operators are taking steps to ensure their customers are able to enjoy the transformative benefits of mobile technology in a safe and reliable environment.
The five key areas for We Care include promoting digital inclusion, ensuring child protection, environmental care (e.g. management od eWaste), disaster response, contribution to public safety and tackling handset theft.
We Care was launched in Latin America I 2014 and is now running 14 campaigns across the region in collaboration with local operators. These campaigns support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, allowing the mobile industry to drive impact at a local level.
The launch of the Child Online Protection industry charter in Kenya is the first ever We Care initiative deployed in Africa.