Officials call for a safer digital space for children

Elias Hakizimana Feb 12, 2025Feb 12, 2025 0 Comments

By Elias Hakizimana.

Officials, educators, and technology stakeholders gathered at G.S Nyirarukobwa School in Bugesera District on February 11, 2025 to commemorate Safer Internet Day (SID) 2025, urging parents to be responsible of how children navigate the internet.

Organized by Internet Society Rwanda Chapter (ISOC Rwanda), the event, under the theme “Together for a Better Internet,” attracted various participants, including students, parents, teachers, government officials, and representatives from the tech sector, non-governmental organizations, and the media.

As the internet plays an increasingly pivotal role in everyday life, particularly in Rwanda where digital adoption is on the rise, the importance of protecting children in the digital space has never been clearer.

While the internet offers countless educational and social opportunities, it also exposes children and youth to a variety of risks, including cyberbullying, online exploitation, misinformation, and exposure to harmful content.

This year’s SID aimed not only to raise awareness but to provide children with the tools necessary to navigate the online world in a safe, responsible, and informed manner.

Empowering the younger generation

The event at G.S Nyirarukobwa focused on enhancing digital literacy among children, ensuring that they are equipped to identify online threats, verify information, and engage with digital platforms positively.

Over the years, a series of workshops allowed students to explore the complexities of the digital landscape while learning practical skills to protect themselves from harm.

In parallel, parents, teachers, and caregivers took part in special training sessions that addressed the critical role they play in safeguarding children online. The training emphasized how adults can guide children through the complexities of the digital world, offering strategies to help them stay safe while utilizing the internet’s vast potential for learning and growth.

Emmanuel Mfitumukiza, Chairperson of ISOC Rwanda, embarked on the significance of the event within the broader context of ongoing efforts to promote online safety.

“We are here not only to celebrate the strides we’ve made but to acknowledge the work still ahead of us,” Mfitumukiza said.

***Emmanuel Mfitumukiza, Chairperson of ISOC Rwanda, highlighted the event’s significance within the broader context of ongoing efforts to enhance online safety.***

“Our initiatives, including the establishment of internet safety forums, digital literacy clubs in schools, and training for parents, are all part of our broader goal: to protect children from online harm, safeguard their privacy, and encourage positive, responsible internet use.”

He continued, “The internet, like any tool, has the potential to benefit or harm. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that it is used wisely.” Added Mfitumukiza.

Collective responsibility

The event also highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in creating a safer online environment.

It also gives a platform for youth-led initiatives advocating for child-friendly digital spaces. These grassroots movements aim to reduce cyberbullying and online exploitation, empowering children and young adults to take ownership of their digital safety.

***Parents at the event, following the proceedings and learning how to better protect their children in the digital space.***

SID 2025 is part of a year-long national initiative focused on building digital literacy and enhancing online safety. Following the event, ongoing awareness campaigns, workshops, and community outreach programs will target rural schools, aiming to create a safer and more inclusive digital environment for children throughout Rwanda.

The success of SID 2025 in Bugesera stands as a testament to the power of collaboration. A diverse range of stakeholders, from local schools to international tech firms, are working together to lay the foundation for a safer internet future.

Students’ engagement

One of the most captivating segments of the event was a vibrant theatre performance by children from Safer Internet clubs.

The performance creatively demonstrated the importance of online safety, showing how children can protect themselves from digital risks while engaging in positive, educational online activities.

The show reinforced the notion that children not only need protection from digital harm but can also be active participants in promoting online safety for their peers.

Students at the scene, delivering a vibrant theatre performance that creatively demonstrated the importance of online safety and how children can protect themselves from digital risks while engaging in positive online activities.

Expert insights on digital risks

Adelaide Iraduha, Sales and Account Manager at CYBERTEQ, emphasized the role of parents, teachers, and caregivers in safeguarding children from digital risks, such as inappropriate content and cyberbullying.

She stressed the need for responsible internet use and parental guidance on social media and verifying information to prevent harm.

Iraduha also highlighted the challenges parents face, including a lack of digital skills, and called for improved digital literacy and regulations to protect children from online dangers like cyber lures, human trafficking, and unwanted pregnancies.

Adelaide Iraduha highlighted the importance of parents, teachers, and caregivers in protecting children from digital risks, urging responsible internet use, better digital literacy, and stronger regulations to combat threats like cyberbullying and online exploitation.

Government support for safer internet practices

Albert Niyigena, Bugesera District Education Officer, emphasized the importance of using the internet for positive purposes like learning, communication, and development.

“Before we share or consume information online, we must first analyze its credibility,” he advised.

Maurice Kajangwe Haesen, Senior Technologist for Privacy and Data Protection at the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, highlighted Rwanda’s efforts to protect children online through a robust policy framework.

He emphasized the government’s child protection policy in ICT, which addresses risks like human trafficking, exploitation, and harmful content.

Haesen urged parents and children to act responsibly, especially regarding personal data sharing. Rwanda’s legal frameworks, including the 2019 child online protection policy and recent ministerial instructions, ensure safety without a ban, promoting responsible digital behavior while safeguarding young users from harm.

Maurice Kajangwe Haesen emphasized the government’s commitment to child protection online, urging responsible behavior from both parents and children to prevent risks like human trafficking and exploitation.

A future-focused initiative

Safer Internet Day marks a pivotal moment in Rwanda’s efforts to ensure that its children are protected in the digital age. As the country continues to embrace digital transformation, the focus on safeguarding youth online will remain a top priority. Through continued collaboration and a collective commitment to online safety, Rwanda’s children can look forward to a digital future that offers both security and opportunity.