Google has been promoting safe use of the internet for a couple of years now. Its program dubbed the Web Ranger was conceptualized to engage people about safe practices when surfing the net. The summit is for the first time being held in Africa, particularly in Nairobi, Kenya.
The summit, which is being staged at Brookhouse School, will be graced by 26 Web Rangers from Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria to brainstorm the details on how the Internet can remain a safe platform for young people who may unknowingly be subject to its harmful side.
Activities
The summit will engage attendees about video-making activities that will tackle topics such as diversity and inclusion, trust, tolerance and responsibility. Participants will also learn how to handle policy issues, including cyber bullying, sexting and catfishing, to mention a few.
The program was launched in 2011 and currently runs in 15 countries, including the aforementioned three African states. However, it arrived in Kenya in 2015 at Precious Girls, Riruta.
Google Kenya says that it has trained more than 3500 students and 1500 teachers in 176 schools in the country.
The summit’s Friday close will be graced by Raphael Tuju who will deliver a message from President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Quotes
“Programmes such as Web Rangers are a very welcome complement to the work that parents, teachers, guardians and governments do in building a better world for our children.
“I congratulate Google in conceptualising the programme and scaling it to many countries in such a short time, and also for your work in building into your products and services tools and resources that help families to use the Internet safely and responsibly. I thank you too for your choice of our beautiful country Kenya as the host of your Summit,” said Ms. Fatuma Hirsi, the Principal Secretary Broadcasting and Telecommunication in a speech read on her behalf by Mr. Timothy Were, Deputy Director, Ministry of ICT Kenya.
“At Google, we are deeply committed to protecting children on the Internet and providing all of our users with a safe experience because protecting kids is a responsibility we all share, and our business depends on people being online — and we need it to be a safe space,” said Doron Avni, Director, Public Policy and Government Relations, EMEA Emerging Markets and founder of Webrangersa.
