Embakasi West MP explains what Kenya’s Online Safety Bill means for parents

Embakasi West Member of Parliament Mark Mwenje defended the proposed Online Safety Bill, stating it aims to safeguard children from harmful internet content while increasing parental oversight of their online activities. Mwenje highlighted that children as young as five and six are already accessing the internet, exposing them to pornography, child abuse material and other potentially dangerous content.

He argued that the bill seeks to establish a safer digital environment without completely limiting access to online platforms. Mwenje said parents should actively monitor what children access online, particularly on sites where harmful material is readily available. The legislation prioritizes protection against pornographic content and materials promoting suicide, self-harm and eating disorders, as these can adversely affect children's mental health, behavior, and development.

While Kenya's approach aims to provide stronger protections, the specific obligations for parents and digital platforms will depend on the final provisions of the bill. Mwenje clarified that children cannot be criminally charged for accessing harmful material, maintaining that the bill focuses on parental responsibility rather than punishing parents for their children's online behaviors.

The MP also emphasized that the proposal does not aim to silence social media users, allowing adults to make their own decisions regarding content access. The proposal comes amid increasing concerns about children's exposure to harmful digital material, with Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga echoing similar worries in August 2026.

He called for collaborative efforts among parents, schools, religious institutions, and government agencies to protect children online, linking early exposure to inappropriate content with negative behavioral impacts and vulnerability to harmful influences.