From a Shy Girl to Confident Advocate on Online Safety. A Story of Angelina

Angelina*, a 13-year-old girl from Kawangware, Kenya, lives with her parents and siblings in a single-room home. Her mother does casual laundry work, earning about €4.26 per week, while her father works in construction, bringing in approximately €49.70 per month. Their income barely covers rent, food, and school fees. Some days are better than others, but often, they struggle to make ends meet. Meals are not always guaranteed, and on difficult days, the family eats only lunch and dinner—if available.

Angelina’s Life

Angelina is disciplined and has a close group of friends. She is in Grade 6, and though her performance is average, she enjoys school, especially her favourite subject, Christian Religious Education (CRE). However, she has been sent home multiple times due to unpaid fees, sometimes missing a week or more of school.

“Life is not so good now,” Angelina shared.

Angelina’s typical day starts early. By 6:00 am, she is up and, if available, takes tea before leaving for school at 6:20 am. She studies, plays with her friends during breaks, and returns home by 5:30 pm. If there is tea, she drinks it, then washes her uniform and completes her homework. She enjoys playing in the evening before having supper and going to bed by 8:00 pm. Weekends are different. Saturdays are spent in tuition, while Sundays are dedicated to church and house chores.

Angelina’s Life

Angelina’s mother owns a smartphone, which she occasionally allows her daughter to use. Angelina enjoys playing Candy Crush, taking pictures, and recording videos. However, her mother is cautious she has removed TikTok from the phone and warns Angelina to stay away from Facebook, saying, “It’s for adults.“

Angelina’s friends are more exposed to social media. One of them has a phone and often watches TikTok videos. While Angelina has not experienced online exploitation, she has learned about the dangers through her school’s child rights club.

The cautious online world

Angelina’s mother owns a smartphone, which she occasionally allows her daughter to use. Angelina enjoys playing Candy Crush, taking pictures, and recording videos. However, her mother is cautious she has removed TikTok from the phone and warns Angelina to stay away from Facebook, saying, “It’s for adults.“

Angelina’s friends are more exposed to social media. One of them has a phone and often watches TikTok videos. While Angelina has not experienced online exploitation, she has learned about the dangers through her school’s child rights club.

Becoming an Advocate for Online Safety

Angelina first heard about the Safety for Children and their Rights Online (SCROL) programme through a Childline Kenya community resource person who visited her school in March last year. The SCROL programme, implemented by Terre des Hommes in partnership with Childline Kenya, is hinged on the goal that, “All Children (regardless of gender, class, religion, ethnicity and abilities) are protected from Online Child Sexual Exploitation (OCSE) in a safe family and community environment.¨

The community resource person explained SCROL’s goal—to empower children with skills and knowledge to prevent, respond to, and report OCSE cases. Inspired by her passion, Angelina decided to join the SCROL school’s child rights club. 

There, she has gained knowledge about online child sexual exploitation (OCSE). She now understands how perpetrators exploit children—through online grooming, sexting, and requesting inappropriate photos. She has also learned how to be SMART online (Safe, Meet, accept, Rely, Tell) and how to report cases through the 116 helpline or by telling a trusted adult.

Now, every Monday and Thursday, she and 19 other members gather for an hour to learn about online safety in the child rights club. They engage in poetry, skits, and drawings to express their understanding of OCSE. Angelina once performed a skit at the school parade, demonstrating how children can be exploited online. Her performance was well received, with students requesting more skits from the club.

Angelina has taken it upon herself to educate her cousins, who had no prior knowledge of online safety. They, in turn, have promised to pass on the information to others.

A Voice Among Peers

Angelina’s friends are deeply drawn to social media, often spending money meant for school needs on internet bundles. Some neglect their chores, glued to their screens. Angelina advises them to: “Avoid social media distractions, focus on school, and study hard.”

Being part of the child rights club has changed her. Once shy, she now confidently raises her hand in class and actively participates. “I feel more confident, and my behaviour has improved,” Angelina said.

She remembers her lessons on OCSE and how to stay safe online and eagerly shares them with her friends. Parents of the child rights club members have also embraced the knowledge, promising to educate women-led groups in their communities.

Angelina’s mother has noticed these changes as well. “Angelina behaves well, shares what she learns in the club, and completes her chores without being reminded before going out to play,” she said.

¨I have learned a lot of things I did not know¨

“Through the child rights club, I have learned a lot of things I did not know. I feel good being in the club.” Angelina shared.  “My teacher told me not to talk to strangers online or share my personal information. I always remember that. 

“SCROL can help more children become aware of their rights and know which platforms are unsafe.” She explained. 

Beyond all this, Angelina is still a child who loves to play, sing, and dance. She dreams of becoming a gospel musician one day. ¨I want to be a gospel musician.¨

Angelina’s Advice

Angelina has a message for parents and children alike. She urges parents to be more cautious about what they share online, reminding them, “Do not post too much about yourself or your child online. You need to protect your children.”

To her fellow children, she warns about the dangers of online strangers, saying, “Do not trust strangers online. Avoid them. Do not post personal information like your house number.”

Angelina’s story is proof that awareness and education on OCSE and being SMART online can change lives. She is not only protecting herself but also helping others stay safe online. With the right knowledge, children like her are becoming the first line of defence against online child sexual exploitation one lesson, one skit, and one conversation at a time.

*Name changed to protect the identity of the project participant. All people involved in this story gave informed consent to participate.