Guarding Two Worlds: A young advocate protecting children both offline and online

Femimagda* is 17 years old. She lives with her mother and nine siblings in Kawangware, a busy informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. Her mother works hard. She is a community health promoter and does laundry for others to earn a living. What little she earns goes towards paying rent and buying food.

Life in Kawangware

Life is not easy. Some days, Femimagda only eats two meals. When she is unwell, she visits a nearby public hospital where services are free. Her family lives in a two-bedroom house. The sitting room and kitchen are small. Their toilet and bathroom are outside. They buy water and also pay for electricity. She plays outside in the nearby field.

Struggles at School

Femimagda is in Form 3 at a nearby day school. But she struggles with school. She often misses classes and does not have enough books. Sometimes she is sent home for not paying the tuition fee, which is required every morning and evening.

She tries not to burden her mother with requests for books or school supplies. “Other students have it worse than me,” she said. She enjoys playing handball, and sometimes it gives her a break from school stress even if she hasn’t paid her full fees.

On school days, Femimagda wakes up at 5:40 am. She is in class by 6:20 am. After a full day of learning, she plays handball in the evening. She then heads home, eats, bathes, does her homework, and sleeps by 8:00 pm.

Learning About the Safety for Children and their Rights Online

Femimagda first heard about the Safety for Children and their Rights Online (SCROL) programme in December 2023 through a community session organised by Childline Kenya and the Centre for Rights, Education and Awareness (CREAW). 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.¨

She was excited to join and learn more. Through the community sessions, Femimagda learned more about Online Child Sexual Exploitation (OCSE) and its forms—including grooming, sextortion, and cyberbullying. She also learned how to be SMART online, how to report abuse, and what children’s rights mean in the digital world. Femimagda also learned where to turn in case of danger online that she can call 116 helpline, report to the police, or reach out to local leaders or Childline Kenya for immediate support.

Turning Knowledge into Action

Femimagda uses her mother´s phone during her work as a community health promoter to fill in online questionnaires in each household they visit. Femimagda has never experienced online sexual exploitation herself. But her friend once confided in her about being a survivor of sextortion. She was scared to tell her parents. Femimagda quickly stepped in. “I told her to block the perpetrator, report the account, and stop sending pictures,” she said. Her friend followed her advice and is now safe.

Femimagda has seen disturbing trends online. She says some children use TikTok Live and are asked to do inappropriate things in exchange for money. Some even steal to buy phones just to go online.

Because of this, Femimagda stopped using TikTok. She used to post videos of herself singing but now prefers to stay away. “SCROL helped me and other children a lot. If I didn’t know about it, I would not open up or even teach other people or report cases directly,” she explained.

An Advocate for Change

Femimagda speaks to children aged 6 and above in her neighbourhood, teaching them about online safety. Her awareness of risks extends beyond the digital world, leading her to identify and report five serious child protection cases, ensuring children received the necessary support.

I feel bad when children are abused or in danger. It pushes me to go and seek help

— she said.

Additionally, Femimagda supports teen mothers by encouraging them to pursue their education and connects them to SHOFCO (Shining Hope for Communities) for counselling and short courses.

Children in her neighbourhood now come to her for advice. They know she listens, and she cares. She reminds them that their parents are not their enemies. Femimagda says more children now know how to stay safe online. They know how to report abuse and understand their rights. SCROL made all of this possible. 

Parents are there to guide and help you

— she tells them

Femimagda says more children now know how to stay safe online. They know how to report abuse and understand their rights. SCROL made all of this possible. 

SCROL is important because not all children know about OCSE and being smart online. The more I pass this news, the more positive change we will see in the community

— She shared.

¨My voice matters!¨

In April 2024, Femimagda attended a 3-day child participation workshop organised by Terre des Hommes Child Participation Network. There, she learned about child labour, sexual exploitation, and how to advocate for children’s rights.

This training gave her confidence. She now knows her voice matters. She speaks to her local chief and SHOFCO when children need help. She also advises parents in her area not to harm their children, and reminds them that children have rights.
“Now I can open up more to people and my voice is heard,” she said with pride. Her teacher also sees her as a leader, and her grades have slightly improved.

¨Children should know how to stay safe online¨

Femimagda advises parents to educate themselves about online safety and to make sure their children are aware of the dangers of OCSE. “Parents need to be educated and know the consequences of OCSE. They should let children know about online safety and enable them to join the community sessions and learn.”

To children, Femimagda offers this advice:

Children should cooperate more with their parents. They should care first and know how to stay safe online. “They need to know more about their rights and speak up.

She believes that if more children become advocates for online safety, it will help reduce Online Child Sexual Exploitation.

When more children advocate for online safety, we can reduce the cases of exploitation

— Femimagda added.

An Aspiring Child Protection Officer

Femimagda dreams of becoming a Child Protection Officer. She wants to protect children and help them live free from abuse and exploitation. “I learned that children can be helped, and I am always happy when I see the hope children have from SCROL helping them,” she stated. She smiles when she goes to bed, knowing she made a difference.

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

Help/Support

My hope is that children are safe online and empowered to speak out

— Joy, Community Resource Person

When I first met Femimagda in December 2023, she was quiet and reserved. But I noticed something special—she helped me keep the younger children focused during our community sessions on online safety. That is when I knew she had the potential to lead.

— Joy shared.

My name is Joy. I am a Community Resource Person working with the Safety for Children and their Rights Online (SCROL) programme. The SCROL programme, implemented by Terre des Hommes in partnership with Childline Kenya, aims to ensure that children are free and safe from Online Sexual Exploitation (OCSE).

Since then, I took Femimagda through more sessions on OCSE, online safety and child rights. We spoke about how to make good choices online, how to avoid sharing personal information, and how to report anything suspicious through the 116 helpline. I also shared some life advice about building confidence and speaking up.

“OCSE is happening, but in many homes, parents do not speak about it. Children are often told to stay quiet. That is why girls like Femimagda are so important—they break the silence and share what they have learned with others.“

“I hope she continues with her advocacy work, studies hard, and passes her exams. Since we come from the same community, I now have someone right here who can help keep children safe online.”

I want to become a child protection officer to help other children

— Femimagda, 17 years old

“Before I met Joy, the SCROL community resource person, I was quiet and didn’t talk much. I did not even know how dangerous the internet could be,” Femimagda said.

“Then I met Joy. She was different. She taught me about SCROL. She also taught me how to be SMART online and told me why it is important to think before sharing anything online. She made us feel comfortable. 

Joy did not just teach the children who attended the community based child rights club sessions; she listened and advised us. She helped me believe that I can make a difference. I became more confident and started speaking up. 

In school and in my neighbourhood, I teach children about what Online Child Sexual Exploitation (OCSE) is, the risks we as children face online, and how to stay safe using the SMART concept. 

¨I also teach children how to report any suspicious or harmful activity online—like calling the 116 helpline or going to the nearest police station. If I ever need immediate help, I know I can also reach out to the Nyumba Kumi (local leaders) or contact Childline Kenya.¨

“Now I can talk in front of others. I even help Joy during community sessions when she is not there. I feel happy because I am helping other children know their rights too. 

¨I want to be a child protection officer in the future. I learned that children can be helped, and I am always happy when I see the hope children have from SCROL helping them.¨
¨When more children advocate for online safety, we can reduce the cases of exploitation.¨ Femimagda