In a digital environment where online harassment and tech-facilitated violence are used to silence voices, how can Kenya protect itself, support young people in others, and still find the courage to speak out for their rights and the rights of others?
In today’s interconnected world, digital spaces are powerful platforms for expression, activism, and community building. However, they have also created new avenues for online harassment and facilitated violence, often aimed at silencing voices. For many young people, speaking out about social justice, human rights, or personal experiences can come with risks such as cyberbullying, doxing, threats and others. Young people have to continue to advocate for their rights with courage and resilience.
One of the most important steps young people can take is to prioritize their digital safety. This begins with understanding privacy settings on social media platforms and using them effectively to control who can view, comment on or share their content and setting strong passwords. Two powerful factors, authentication and careful management of personal information, can reduce vulnerability to hacking or identity misuse. Additionally, being mindful of what is shared publicly, such as location, school details, or contact information, can help minimize the risk of targeted harassment. Digital literacy is key; knowing how to block, mute and report abusive users empowers individuals to take control of their online experiences.
I remember the first time Njoroge got a smartphone, he was super excited; his excitement could not be hidden for even a single bit. He would not let it go even for a second. He kept it in his pocket all the time when he was not using it. Njoroge was a seventeen-year-old boy from Kware Sub-location in Kajiado North. Unlike his fellows, he was not so educated about the internet world until he got a chance to use something which he would only hear from his folks from abled backgrounds; he could not help but utilize this resource. I remember how he spent hours on the internet commenting, viewing, and stalking other people.
When Njoroge realized that he too could post content on the internet instead of just viewing and commenting got him very excited, as he had a new thing to concentrate on. He could spend long hours searching and posting he soon became known for his content. Njoroge got so caught up in the technological world and lost control. The only thing he would think of was posting content on the internet. The dangerous thing was that Njoroge was not aware of the predators and online harassment.
One day, as he was online, he was approached by an unknown individual on one of the social media platforms. For him, this was normal, but little did he know that this particular fellow would Change big online life drastically. Apparently, the person offered Njoroge large sums of money; aside from that, the unknown individual would also buy Njoroge bundles on the condition that Njoroge would post content for him. Njoroge, having come from a humble background, accepted. The content be had to post was dirty and humiliating. When Njoroge finally realized he was making a mistake, he slowly started withdrawing. He withdrew from people because he could not tell anyone that the unknown person known to Njoroge as Stevo was threatening him and harassing him online, too.
Njoroge’s friends and parents asked him what the problem was, but he could not tell them because Stevo had told him that he had eyes everywhere and that made Njoroge even more afraid. Njoroge would lock himself in his tiny room and cry his eyes out, but with no one to talk to. One day, during his computer lesson, the computer teacher talked about online harassment.
He taught them that they could report when they are bullied or harassed, and he also encouraged them to speak up. All through the computer lesson, Njoroge was unusually quiet.
When he went home that day, all he could think about was reporting the troll who had been harassing him online, but he did not know how since the smartphone had been a new experience for him. The next morning, he gathered courage, stood in front of his class and told them all he had gone through. The classmates offered to help Njoroge with the problem they promised to help him speak up even louder. The students spread the news to all the other students and even the teachers. Njoroge also took the initiative to report his experience to the local authorities soon after Stevo was being tracked down, and within a few weeks, he was arrested.
Njoroge and his fellow students further came up with an idea of educating people about their rights and how they can protect themselves from being silenced online, being manipulated and harassed by persons unknown to them. They gained popularity, and many victims of cyberbullying and online harassment gained a voice online and confessed to the problems they faced online. What came as a misfortune to Njoroge now became his loudest voice online; he could not be silenced anymore. So, instead of Njoroge posting memes, he would instead spend his time researching how he would help his fellow teenagers who are one way or another, have fallen prey to internet predators. He encouraged voices online to speak up and gather courage, to protect themselves as well as others and speak for their rights online and those of others. His work spread to all parts of the world and made an impact on the lives of so many people.
People came out from all parts of the universe to support Njoroge’s work on educating people on their digital rights, and soon afterwards, the world changed drastically. Just because of one teenage boy whose life changed due to online harassments and decided to speak up and get help. Njoroge had one thing in mind, and that was not to allow anyone to go through what he had gone through. What he had gone through, he believed that today’s silenced student may be tomorrow’s silenced activist, and that was a risk he was not willing to take. He dedicated his whole life to creating a safe space for people by educating them on these digital rights.
Education and awareness, therefore, play a significant role in long-term change. By learning about digital rights, online safety and legal protections, young people can better navigate risks and advocate for strong safeguarding measures. Schools, communities and governments also have a responsibility to safeguard digital environments by enforcing policies against cyber harassment and holding perpetrators accountable. Young people, as digital natives, are uniquely positioned to lead these conversations and push for reforms that make online spaces more inclusive and secure.
In conclusion, while online harassment and facilitated violence present serious challenges, they do not have to silence young voices. Through a combination of digital safety practices, emotional resilience, mutual support and strategic courage, young people can continue to speak up for their rights. By working together and refusing to be intimidated, they not only protect themselves but also contribute to building a more just and respectful digital world.
Christal Raninyo Adhiambo is a student at Noonkopir Girls High School and writes in her own capacity.
Disclaimer:
The essays presented here are fictional and written as part of an educational exercise. They are meant to reflect children’s perspectives on digital privacy and safety, but the content is not based on actual experiences or statements by real individuals.