Objective:

The department is responsible for coordination and management of programmes to protect children from online abuse and exploitation

Functions

• Provide leadership and coordination on child online protection, including prevention, response, and support services;
• Implement the National Plan of Action to Tackle Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA) in Kenya (2022–2026);
  Develop manuals, guidelines, and handbooks to operationalize the NPA on OCSEA;
• Analyse data on online child safety issues to inform policy and interventions;
• Collaborate with Internet Service Providers (ISPs), the Communication Authority (CA), the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), and other regulators to develop and enforce guidelines for regulating film, broadcast, and digital content;
• Enforce classification standards to safeguard children from inappropriate content;
• Promote media content that upholds strong family values, child welfare, and traditional Kenyan values;
• Create public awareness on child online protection among children, parents, caregivers, and stakeholders;
• Empower children with knowledge and skills to stay safe in the digital environment;
• Train parents and guardians on digital parenting;
• Train professionals on tackling online child sexual exploitation and abuse; and
• Mark the annual Safer Internet Day to promote safe online behavior.

Achievements

• Developed a 5year costed National Plan of Action NPA 2022-2026 To Tackle OCSEA
• Developed a training manual for the social service workforce on OCSEA 2023
• Developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on OCSEA in Kenya 2024
• Developed and launched the guidebook for children on online safety 2025
• Rolled out trainings for social service workforce on OCSEA manual and SOPs
• Establishment of a multisectoral Technical Working Group on child online protection
• NB National stakeholders indicate that participation in consultative forums have been critical in building synergies towards combatting OCSEA through understanding the different roles that each actor plays
• 455 Children Advisory Committee members (CAC) equipped with skills to effectively identify, prevent, respond to, and refer cases of online child abuse
• 550 children through the Children Assemblies trained on OCSEA and key legal provisions on online child protection in the Children Act 2022 which enhanced their self-protection skills through identification and reporting of online abuse