Digital parenting training empowers parents in Bugesera to safeguard children online

Elias Hakizimana Oct 5, 2024Oct 5, 2024 0 Comments

By Elias Hakizimana.

In an era where mobile technology has become a crucial tool for communication, education, and access to services, its rapid rise also brings significant challenges, particularly for parents.

To address this, the Internet Society Rwanda Chapter (ISOC Rwanda), in partnership with G.S Kibungo in Ntarama sector, Bugesera district, concluded a comprehensive training program on digital parenting and online safety, aimed at equipping parents with the skills necessary to safeguard their children in the digital world.

The training program, which ran for several days and concluded on October 4, 2024, sought to empower parents, particularly mothers, with essential mobile digital literacy and effective digital parenting skills.

The initiative targeted 120 parents in rural communities, focusing on women in underserved areas. However, according to the event’s organizers, 144 parents successfully completed the training, surpassing the initial goal.

During the closing ceremony, Beathe Tuyambaze, the Headteacher of G.S Kibungo, expressed her satisfaction with the program’s impact.

“We are happy that 144 parents followed this training on positive parenting with digital technology. While technology is important, we also need to prevent our children from the harms it can bring. We thank the Internet Society for building and equipping the computer room for us, which helped a lot,” she said.

**Beathe Tuyambaze expressed her excitement about the participation of 144 parents in the positive digital parenting training.**

The computer room, outfitted with internet access, allowed parents to practice the skills they learned, including how to use smartphones to navigate the internet and protect their families from online dangers.

The training covered several key components, including basic smartphone skills, navigating the internet, using social media and apps, and accessing government services through the Irembo portal.

Importantly, parents learned about online safety, privacy settings, and how to recognize scams and protect personal information. The digital parenting aspect of the program provided insights into how children use technology and taught parents how to set boundaries, monitor screen time, and teach children about responsible online behavior.

Nicolas Berwa, a staff member from ISOC Rwanda, commended the parents for their dedication and reminded them that the Kibungo Internet Access Center is not just for their children but also for the parents themselves.

“This center belongs to everyone,” he said. “We hope parents will continue to use the skills they’ve acquired here and pass them on to their children.”

**Nicolas Berwa highlighted the importance of the Kibungo Internet Access Center as a resource for both parents and children, encouraging continued use of the skills learned.**

One of the trained parents, Theophile Mpirimba, expressed gratitude for the knowledge he gained.

“We acquired a lot—using smartphones, saving and retrieving files, using WhatsApp, Google, and even learning to identify misleading images and videos that can harm our children. This training opened up a whole new understanding of digital tools for us.”

ISOC Rwanda’s Chairperson, Emmanuel Mfitumukiza, stressed the importance of collaboration between the school and the parents in preserving and making the best use of the internet resources.

“Complete education involves both the child and the parent. We hope that this center can be a productive tool for the entire community. Such trainings will continue in the future, and we will collaborate to ensure that everyone benefits from them.”

***Emmanuel Mfitumukiza emphasized the significance of collaboration between parents and children in achieving complete education and maximizing internet resources.***

Clementine Murebwayire, another participant, reflected on how the training impacted her parenting.

“In the past, I would just give my children smartphones without guiding them. This training enhanced my skills, and I now feel confident that I can help them stay safe online. It’s never too late to learn, and I’m glad I did.”

Editor’s note: As mobile technology continues to advance, the need for digital literacy and online safety becomes ever more critical. Thanks to initiatives like this, parents in rural communities are now better equipped to guide their children safely through the digital world, ensuring that technology remains a positive tool for growth and development rather than a source of harm.