ISOC Rwanda Awards Parents for Completion of Digital Parenting Training, Online Safety

By Elias Hakizimana.

The Internet Society Rwanda Chapter (ISOC Rwanda) yesterday, September 17, awarded certificates to parents and guardians who completed a three-day training on Digital Parenting and Online Safety.

Held from September 15 to 17 in Rukomo Sector, Nyagatare District, the program equipped participants with skills to guide their children in using smartphones responsibly, engage safely on social media, and prevent online risks that threaten children’s wellbeing.

Jules Nizeyimana, Vice Chairperson of ISOC Rwanda Chapter, highlighted the importance of bringing the training to rural communities.

“It means a lot because we are gathering community mobilizers who will, in turn, engage and educate fellow citizens. This is very crucial in rural areas where many people are newly connected to the internet. We want to ensure they remain secure while protecting their children online,” he said.

He added that similar initiatives have already shown positive results elsewhere.

“We have seen progress from previous trainings, like in Bugesera, where parents testified that their digital skills improved and they are now able to better guide their children and ensure online safety. This training builds on that progress.”

Parents who completed the training shared testimonies about the knowledge they gained.

Muruta Zaninka, 28, from Akamashereka village in Nyakagarama cell, Rukomo sector, said the experience was transformative.

“Over the last three days I learned how to help children stay safe online when they are navigating smartphones and other gadgets connected to the internet. Before the training I did not know much about digital technology, but now I know how to be safe and ensure my online privacy as well as my children’s.”

Triphine Uwingabire, 44, said the training gave her essential tools.

“I got a good package, like how to keep and store my information online, and how safer I can disseminate information. I also learned about children’s safety online. Most of the time parents do not care about sensitive issues children can face when they are online, and we give them our smartphones to use alone. We learned that we can guide and be closer to them.”

Esther Muyisenge, 30, emphasized the importance of guidance rather than restriction.

“I learned how a parent can guide children online and ensure their safety in this digital era. Rather than depriving children of their rights to navigate digital technology, we can help and guide them. As I quit with my certificate, I will help fellow parents understand that not every time a child picks a smartphone is to watch sensitive content, but also to learn and discover. I will advise them to protect sensitive mobile applications with passwords.”

Claire Uwambayingabire, Executive Secretary of Rukomo Sector, emphasized the wider community impact of the initiative.

“This training is very valuable, especially for students and parents’ representatives, because it helps them understand the use of the internet and encourages them to motivate other citizens to embrace it as well. My expectation is to help change citizens’ mentality about the internet and its opportunities. We also look forward to follow-up efforts, together with the Internet Society, to ensure the training brings tangible results at both sector and cell levels.”

ISOC Rwanda pledged to continue strengthening digital literacy and online safety programs to support Rwandan families in the evolving digital era.

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