Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day Celebrations in Kenya

Kenya is the third African country to have ever commemorated the Safer Internet day this February 8th, 2011. This day was celebrated globally with the theme this year being “It’s more that a game, it’s your life.” Safer Internet day is aimed at creating awareness about child safety in the cyber world and finding solutions to existing problems. Having joined the safer internet network in 2010, Kenya is commemorating this day for the first time and is also the only African country to be doing so in 2011.

The half day event was organized by Project Discovery Kenya and hosted by Makini Schools off Ngong road. It was attended by 74 pupils from Moi Educational Centre, Hillcrest Schools, Visa Oshwal and Hospital Hill School. Dr. Bitange Ndemo the Information and Communication permanent secretary presided over by this event.

Also in attendance were Microsoft East Africa representative Alex Nyingi, Dr. Waudo Siganga Chairman Computer Society of Kenya, Mr. Joseph Okelo Makini School Director and Barrack Otieno from Afriregister who also served as the master of ceremony.

Safer Internet day brings together stakeholders from the public and private sector, government, civil society and academia to help address threats of cyber crime against school going children and other minors.

In his remarks, Dr. Bitange Ndemo pointed out that technology keeps on changing and that though the methods of learning through this technology is good, students must pay attention to the older tried and tested methods. He highlighted the fact that internet access has grown from about 5, 000 users in 2001 in Kenya to over 5 million users today. The permanent secretary urged the students to be cautious about what they post on social websites encouraging them to embrace a certain set of values so that what they say today, they can say again in 10 years without having to defend their words. He encouraged the students to look for content that will add value to their life. In conclusion, he said plans are underway to set up a centre to fight cyber crime in Kenya.