Psychologists say when children feel distant from their parents, they seek validation elsewhere—often in the virtual arms of predators. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
In the vibrant heart of Tanzania's communities, a new frontier is quietly taking shape—one where the innocence of childhood collides with the hidden perils of the digital world. The soft glow of mobile phone screens has become a familiar sight, casting light on young faces lost in curiosity. Yet, beneath this seemingly harmless connection lies a subtle, often overlooked risk.
More often than not, daughters—drawn to their mothers' phones for playful selfies and digital exploration—are at the forefront of this silent shift. Parents, driven by affection and a desire to nurture closeness, unintentionally blur the line between love and unguarded exposure.
The act of handing over a phone becomes a gesture of attachment, a symbol of trust. But in this quiet exchange, a new vulnerability emerges—one where unsupervised digital access opens doors to unseen dangers lurking just beyond the swipe of a screen.
Recent debates have ignited urgent conversations, with stakeholders pressing the government to impose stricter controls on children's mobile phone usage to shield them from sexual abuse and exploitation.
Across the country, secondary schools have attempted to curb the tide by banning phone usage on school grounds. Teachers, matrons, and patrons are tasked with managing communication between students and their parents.
Yet, an unsettling trend has surfaced—some parents discreetly supply their children with phones, particularly for late-night conversations, inadvertently weakening the very rules meant to protect them.
“It’s heartbreaking when a student claims their phone was given by their parents,” says Marcus Baray, a seasoned teacher in Karatu. “Parents should be allies in this fight, not enablers. Discipline works best when families and schools stand together.”
At Karatu Boys Secondary School, a controversial policy of destroying confiscated phones was once employed. Though intended to deter students, the practice was abandoned amid fears that it bred resentment rather than reform. The underlying problem, however, remains—the contents found on these devices often reveal a chilling glimpse into the hidden dangers children face.
“Even in advanced classes, they are still children,” emphasizes Metian, an economics teacher at the school. “Phones are crammed with explicit content and messages no child should be exposed to. It’s a ticking time bomb if we don’t intervene.”
The urgency is highlighted by alarming data from the Ministry of Gender, Elderly, and Children, which reports that 67% of Tanzanian children aged 12-17 own phones without any form of supervision.
Worse still, 2% are lured into online sexual activities for money, while 3% have been victims of sexual exploitation through social media.
Jennifer Calman, a psychologist from C-Sema, paints a stark picture of children turning into digital strangers when familial bonds fray. “When children feel distant from their parents, they seek validation elsewhere—often in the virtual arms of predators. No child should navigate the digital world without a guiding hand.”
Technology expert Yusuph Kileo advocates for parental control technologies and the introduction of Child Online Protection Policies to fortify digital defenses. “A phone in a child’s hand is not just a communication tool—it’s a gateway. Parents must know which websites their children visit, who they talk to, and how long they stay online”
The explosion of mobile phone ownership in East Africa complicates the challenge. Over the past decade, mobile penetration has skyrocketed from 30% to over 70%, with similar trends in Uganda. While phones provide a bridge to information and health services, they also expose young users to the darker currents of cyberspace.
Research from the Rakai Community Cohort Study in Uganda found that young women with mobile phones were less likely to use condoms, more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, and more vulnerable to HIV infection.
This alarming link between mobile phones and risky behavior extends far beyond East Africa. Global studies reveal how sex offenders exploit emerging technologies to groom victims, distribute explicit content, and build networks with other offenders.
The digital world blurs the line between online and offline abuse, with predators coaxing victims from chat rooms into real-life encounters.
The Routine Activity Theory (RAT) offers a chilling explanation. Developed by Cohen and Felson in 1979, the theory posits that crime thrives when motivated offenders encounter vulnerable targets without capable guardians nearby. In the cyber realm, the absence of parental supervision creates the perfect storm—unsuspecting children left alone with powerful devices.
Cohen’s work evolved into the Lifestyle Routine Activities Theory (LRAT), which highlights how daily habits expose individuals to victimization.
Building on this foundation, Choi’s Cyber-Routine Activities Theory (CRAT) explains how digital habits—like endless scrolling and private messaging—create pathways for online exploitation.
Yet, even as these dangers mount, the online world is not without hope. The United Nations’ General Comment No. 25 recognizes the digital environment as both a peril and a promise.
While the internet poses risks, it also holds the power to uplift children—connecting them to education, information, and communities of support.
Nevertheless, this promise will only be realized if robust safeguards are in place. Parental controls, digital literacy programs, and collaborative efforts between policymakers, educators, and families are essential to turning mobile phones from predators' tools into instruments of empowerment.
Childhood sexual exploitation leaves scars that linger long into adulthood, fueling addiction, mental illness, and fractured futures. The stakes could not be higher. The fight against online child abuse demands a united front, where every parent, teacher, and policymaker become a guardian at the digital gate.
As Tanzania braces for new government regulations, one truth stands out—technology alone cannot protect children. The most powerful firewall is the watchful eye of a loving parent, the guiding voice of a teacher, and the unwavering resolve of a society that refuses to let its children be lost to the shadows of cyberspace.
Nonetheless, creating a safer digital environment for children requires a multifaceted approach. Developed countries have implemented a combination of legislative frameworks, technological solutions, and community-based strategies to shield children from online harm.
For instance, the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Bill mandates that tech companies proactively identify and remove harmful content, with severe penalties for non-compliance. Similarly, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner provides a comprehensive platform where parents and children can report online abuse, access educational resources, and seek immediate help.
Parental control applications like Qustodio, Net Nanny, and Norton Family have also gained traction in many countries, allowing parents to monitor browsing history, set screen time limits, and block inappropriate websites. These tools empower parents to strike a balance between granting digital access and safeguarding their children from harmful content.
Yet, while technology plays a critical role, the heart of online child protection lies in building digital resilience among children.
Tanzania stands at a crossroads, with an opportunity to learn from these global examples. Implementing nationwide digital literacy programs, coupled with community awareness campaigns, could bridge the knowledge gap between parents and children.
Collaboration between the government, technology companies, and civil society organizations would strengthen efforts to create a safer online environment.
Ultimately, protecting children in the digital age demands more than just policies and software. It requires a cultural shift—one that values open conversations, mutual trust, and constant vigilance. When parents, teachers, and policymakers unite in this mission, they form an unbreakable shield around the most vulnerable members of society.
The glow of a mobile screen need not cast a shadow on childhood. With collective effort and unwavering dedication, Tanzania can harness the promise of technology while keeping its children safe from the unseen dangers lurking in the digital world.