By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
Kenya, 2 April 2026 - The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and manage their children’s access to online content as schools close for the April holidays.
In a statement on Wednesday, 1 April 2026, the Board’s Acting CEO, Nelly Muluka, noted that the increased access to internet-enabled devices during holidays leaves minors exposed to a wide range of audiovisual content, some of which is not appropriate and harmful for minors.
Muluka warned that unsupervised use of devices such as smartphones, gaming consoles, and streaming devices may negatively affect children's mental development.
“In line with the Kenya Film Classification Board's (KFCB) consumer advisory function, the KFCB urges parents, caregivers, and guardians to monitor the audio-visual content that children under their care access and consume during this period,” the notice read.
Parents have been urged to leverage the built-in parental control feature in devices to ensure that they control and monitor what their children are watching on the devices.
Parents have been encouraged to set screen time rules for their children to limit the time they spend on TV and other broadcasting devices, and to co-view audio-visual content together.
Furthermore, parents have been encouraged to guide their children towards educational and uplifting content that boosts creative and critical thinking, as well as promotes positive values.
“KFCB appeals to parents to take an active role in guiding their children's viewing habits by watching audio-visual content together as a family- this not only allows parents to monitor what children are watching but also provides an opportunity for meaningful discussions about the content,” Muluka said.
Likewise, video show, play station operators, and film exhibitors have been cautioned against admitting children to their premises to engage with content that has not been classified as General Exhibition (GE).
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The warning comes at a time when consumption of digital media among children is rising at a concerning rate, driven by increased internet accessibility and affordability of the internet and digital devices.
Excessive use of digital devices among children could lead to physical health issues such as obesity, eye strain, and poor sleep, as well as mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, addiction, and social and behavioural challenges.
Other risks minors are exposed to include reduced attention spans, cyberbullying, and decreased face-to-face social skills, which are vital in a child’s development.
To address this, KFCB has assured that it will remain committed to enhancing parental awareness on emerging technologies through its Parents’ Digital Literacy Program (PADIL), which will equip parents with the necessary skills to monitor and control how their children consume digital content.
Parents have been encouraged to report any content that they believe is harmful to their children to the board through its official email for review and rating.
KFCB Urges Parents to Monitor Children’s Online Content During April School Holidays
KFCB warns against harmful online content as Kenyan schools begin April holidays