As online predators increasingly target children through popular platforms like Roblox and social media, Africa is taking decisive action to combat this threat.
UNICEF, in collaboration with the GSMA and prominent telecommunications and international partners, has launched the Africa Taskforce on Child Online Protection (COP). This initiative marks the continent’s first organised effort to protect children in the digital landscape.
The Taskforce is a formidable coalition consisting of MTN Group, Vodacom, Orange, Safaricom, Axian Telecom, INTERPOL, the Internet Watch Foundation, the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC), Paramount Africa, and Child Helpline International. Together, they have committed to making child safety a fundamental aspect of Africa’s digital development.
Unveiled at the recent MWC25 in Kigali, the Taskforce will collaborate with governments, law enforcement agencies, and industry leaders to address issues such as cyberbullying, exploitation, misinformation, and harmful content.
Etleva Kadilli, Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa at UNICEF, emphasised the urgency of this initiative. “As more children in Africa connect to the digital world at unprecedented rates, ensuring their safety must be our top priority. This Taskforce serves as a uniquely African platform to guarantee that technology protects children from harm while facilitating their opportunities for learning, play, and growth,” she stated.
With platforms like Roblox becoming digital hunting grounds and social media algorithms exposing young users to disturbing content, experts warn that the lack of robust online protections could have severe long-term effects. Nearly half of Africa’s population is under 18, highlighting the critical need for protective measures.
Caroline Mbugua, Director of Public Policy at GSMA Africa, described the initiative as a pivotal transition from strategy to action. “We are united in our efforts to enhance digital governance, advocate for safety by design, and ensure that children’s voices play a crucial role in shaping the policies that will define Africa’s digital future,” she noted.
South Africa is already setting a standard for safeguarding its most vulnerable digital users, drafting regulations that would implement age-verification measures on video-sharing platforms and major online platforms to minimise minors’ exposure to harmful content.
