Kenyan Parents Risk $3000 Fine, Jail Term For Failing To Register Children Using Smartphones

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is pushing for new regulations that will see telecommunication companies and parents fined $3000 for not registering children using smartphones.

Under the Child Online Protection and Safety Guidelines, CA will require parents to provide children’s identity using smart devices and register SIM cards the minors use.

Additionally, CA will require telcos, Internet services providers and app developers to verify the age of their users.

The proposed guidelines are meant to provide a safer Internet experience for kids in Kenya. The agency plans to launch a registry of children using smartphones.

Besides the $3000 fine, violators of the new guidelines could also risk facing a jail term of six months or both.

Under the current guideline, CA mandates parents to use their credentials to register SIM cards operated by their Children.

In February, the agency launched an online game to promote a safer online environment for children.

The game dubbed “Cyber Soldjas” targets children aged between 4 to 14 years old. Children within this age group learn better through action and repetition, best delivered through games.