Kenya Strengthens Youth Role in Building Digital Safety and Resilience

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) , in partnership with the Kenya Cybersecurity and Forensics Association (KCSFA) , recently hosted a youth forum on cybersecurity. The event brought together young people, policymakers, educators, regulators, and industry experts to engage on critical issues surrounding digital safety and the challenges of navigating today’s information age.

The forum emphasized that the biggest digital threat facing societies today is not the absence of information, but the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation. Kenya’s youth, who form the country’s largest demographic and are the most active users of social media, were identified as both the most exposed to these risks and the most crucial stakeholders in addressing them. Harmful health misinformation, online scams, and false narratives affecting public opinion were highlighted as some of the issues with direct consequences for democracy, social cohesion, mental health, and national security.

Key objectives of the forum included raising awareness of the impact of false information on youth and society, creating a platform for dialogue between young people and decision-makers, and sharing strategies to strengthen digital literacy and resilience against misinformation. The forum also aimed to mobilize youth as champions of truth and positive online engagement while promoting job creation and skills development through partnerships to build national digital resilience.

CA officials noted that equipping young people with the tools to critically assess online content and distinguish between truth and falsehood is essential to creating a safer, more responsible digital ecosystem. The collaboration with KCSFA underlined the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in promoting responsible digital practices and ensuring that Kenya is better prepared to counter emerging online threats.