“Keep Them Off”- Mosiria Warns Parents To Keep Student Off Social Media During Mid-Term

Geoffrey Mosiria, Nairobi County’s Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service, has issued an urgent advisory to parents, calling for strict oversight of children’s social media usage. In a statement released on Thursday, February 26, 2026, Mosiria specifically flagged Facebook as a platform where increasingly inappropriate advertisements are bypassing filters and reaching underage users.

The warning coincides with the school mid-term break, a period when many students have increased access to digital devices. Mosiria emphasized that children aged 17 and below are particularly vulnerable to “adult content” and aggressive marketing tactics that are not age-appropriate.

Protecting the Digital Sandbox

According to Mosiria, the “danger lurking on the streets of social media” is no longer just a theoretical concern but a documented reality. He urged parents to be proactive rather than reactive, noting that once a child is exposed to harmful content, the psychological impact can be difficult to reverse.

“To all parents, keep your children under the age of 17 off Facebook. Recently, there have been many adult content advertisements that could easily reach underage children,” Mosiria stated. “Let’s protect them from exposure to things they should not see at a young age.”

The Global Context: Australia’s Total Ban

Mosiria’s plea reflects a hardening global stance on youth social media access. Australia recently became a pioneer in this space, implementing a landmark total ban on December 10, 2025, which legally blocks all children under 16 from holding social media accounts.

The Australian move was backed by data showing that 96% of children aged 10–15 were active online, with a staggering 70% reporting encounters with dangerous or disturbing material.

The “Kenya Should Follow” Movement

The debate in Kenya is gaining momentum, with public figures like Lillian Ng’ang’a openly advocating for similar legislative action. Following the news of Australia’s ban, Ng’ang’a took to social media to declare her support, stating that “Kenya should do the same” to ensure a safer environment for the next generation.

While the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) and the Communications Authority (CA) have introduced “Child Online Safety” guidelines in early 2026, a total legal ban remains a point of heavy debate among policymakers and digital rights activists.