@ACOSA

Africa Child Online Safety Alliance

[Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) @IWFhotline]

💰Money is a significant motivator for producing child sexual abuse material online. Operators hide criminal material behind adult content or maintenance pages, using referrals, viral invites, and AI-driven content to funnel users toward abusive material.

Coordinated action between core stakeholders, including financial institutions, connectivity providers, platforms, image-hosting services, and digital advertising networks, is needed to tackle this crime.

https://t.co/arVLHUDpa7

IWF #BehindTheScreens Annual Data & Insights Report.

[Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) @IWFhotline]

Our latest report published today reveals that AI generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is increasing in scale, sophistication and accessibility.

“Each and every item of AI CSAM is a violation of the most basic rights to safety, dignity, and childhood itself,” says our CEO Kerry Smith.

“We cannot tackle this risk alone. We need safety by design embedded as a non-negotiable in AI development with clear standards set by governments.

“We have an opportunity now. We must not waste it.”

Read more at https://t.co/O9ZcZxupZ7

[@ACOSA @ACOSAllianc]

#AfricaChildOnlineSafetyinitiatives
#Gabon
Libreville, Gabon – In a proactive step to address the growing challenges of the digital age, the Agence Nationale des Infrastructures Numériques et des Fréquences (ANINF) successfully organized a dedicated conference on March 19, 2026, focused on safeguarding children from online risks.

Initiated by ANINF Director General Mr. Alberto Mounguengui Moudoki, the event brought together parents, educators, digital experts, and stakeholders to confront the escalating threats children face in today's hyper-connected world.

With digital technologies increasingly central to young people's daily lives through smartphones, social media, gaming apps and online platforms the conference highlighted the urgent need for heightened awareness, prevention, and collective action.

#ChildOnlineSafety
#AfricaChildOnlineSafetyAlliance

[@ACOSA @ACOSAllianc]

#AfricaChildOnlineProtectionInititative
#NewUpdate #Nigeria

A youth-focused organisation, Safe Screens Initiative, is using digital storytelling to address cyberbullying among secondary school students in Nigeria. Through its new YouTube series, The Cyberbully Files, the organisation highlights real-life online harms and promotes safer digital behaviour.

The first episode focuses on deepfake-enabled cyberbullying, showing how manipulated content can be used to harass victims and the emotional impact it causes. The series aims to spark awareness and encourage early intervention by students, parents and educators.

You can watch the episode here: https://t.co/58e4t1BG4D

@SafeScreensI

[Tunza Safeguarding @tunza_safeguard]

𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
On March 6–7, with @gatherventures & @WatotoWatchNet, we trained teachers staff at Loropio Girls Senior School on safeguarding.
Digital safety session by @WatotoWatchNet
Action plans developed
Reporting systems strengthened
#Tuwatunzeni

[HSC @HSCmediaUg]

#Childonlinesafety #OnlineSafety

https://t.co/prDMz8FjSh

[HSC @HSCmediaUg]

The #Onlinesafety for children camp is going to the East. be apart of it by registering your child or school. 29th-April at Jinja SSS.

https://t.co/W9t6Bgf2eZ

[@ACOSA @ACOSAllianc]

#AfricaChildOnlineSafetyUpdate
#@whatsapp

WhatsApp just launched parent-managed accounts for pre-teens. Parents set up & control the account, limit to messaging/calling only, approve contacts and lock settings with a PIN.

Check it out: https://t.co/SqRAXU1TS5

#AfricaChildOnlineSafetyAlliance

[@ACOSA @ACOSAllianc]

#AfricaChildOnlineProtectionUpdate
#Nigeria

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission has released a public poll seeking citizens’ views on potential regulations aimed at strengthening the protection of children on social media and other digital platforms.

The consultation, conducted in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, forms part of a broader effort to develop policies that respond to emerging digital risks affecting children in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding online environment.

The poll: https://t.co/0ukp9MJv06

#AfricaChildOnlineSafetyAlliance

[@ACOSA @ACOSAllianc]

#Reflections
#SaferInternetDayAfrica2026
#Kenya

Kenya celebrated 13 years of Safer Internet Day by convening government, industry, civil society and child protection actors for the 13th Safer Internet Day (SID) stakeholders meeting under the theme “13 Years On: Reflection, Renewal and Recommitment.”

The meeting, coordinated by Watoto Watch Network as part of the global Safer Internet Day initiative, provided a platform to reflect on progress made in advancing child online safety and to identify gaps requiring urgent attention.

Participants examined emerging digital risks facing children, including online exploitation, cyberbullying, data privacy violations and the misuse of artificial intelligence. Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to stronger coordination, sustained partnerships and practical action to enhance child online protection in Kenya.

#ChildonlineProtection

[@ACOSA @ACOSAllianc]

#Reflections
#SaferInternetDayAfrica2026
#Malawi

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), in collaboration with Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO), marked Safer Internet Day under the theme “Smart Tech, Safe Choices,” with a focus on promoting secure AI usage and strengthening online safety for children.

The commemorations included school outreach activities, notably at Zomba Catholic Secondary School, where stakeholders engaged learners on the growing risks of cyberbullying and emphasized the urgent need for enhanced counselling and support services for affected victims.

@macra

[Sauti 116 Helpline, Uganda @sauti116]

Day Three Mbarara District 💙📚

We kicked off the day bright and early as Sauti 116 Helpline continued its online abuse awareness campaign in schools across Mbarara District.

Our first stop: Kashaka Girls S.S where we engaged, listened, and empowered young minds to stay safe in digital spaces.

The conversations were honest. The participation was powerful. And the commitment from the students to protect themselves and one another online was truly inspiring.

When girls are informed, they are empowered. When they are empowered, they are unstoppable. 💪✨

The journey continues one school, one conversation, one safe space at a time.

📞 Toll-Free: 116
@Mglsd_UG @GovUganda @GCIC_SocialDevt @kashakagirlsss
#Sauti116 #OnlineSafety #GirlChildEmpowerment #ChildProtection #MbararaDistrict #EndOnlineAbuse 💙

[@ACOSA @ACOSAllianc]

#AfricaChildOnlineProtectionUpdate
#Egypt

Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, under the leadership of Minister Raafat Hendy, has officially launched https://t.co/wW7k5NdGSO, an integrated Arabic platform dedicated to digital citizenship and online safety, coinciding with Safer Internet Day.

The launch was accompanied by the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood to enhance institutional coordination on child online protection focusing on awareness content development, support services, accessibility for children with disabilities, and professional capacity building.

Senior representatives from UNICEF and UNDP expressed strong support, underscoring the importance of safeguarding vulnerable groups as Egypt advances its digital transformation agenda.

This initiative reflects a comprehensive approach pairing infrastructure growth with public awareness, policy alignment, and child-centered digital protection.

Read more: https://t.co/4lFc0AlyP6

#ChildOnlineSafetyAfrica

[@ACOSA @ACOSAllianc]

#ChildOnlineSafetyUpdate
#Instagram

Meta has announced new parental alerts on Instagram that will notify parents if their teen repeatedly searches for terms related to suicide or self-harm within a short period of time.

The feature, rolling out next week to users enrolled in Instagram’s parental supervision tools in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, is designed to help parents identify when their teen may need support. Other regions are expected to follow later this year.

Under the update, parents will receive notifications via email, text, WhatsApp or in-app alerts if repeated search attempts trigger the system. Instagram currently blocks searches tied to suicide and self-harm and directs users to support resources and helplines instead of displaying results.

More Info: https://t.co/PxprtB7duN

#ChildOnlineSafetyAfrica

[@ACOSA @ACOSAllianc]

#TodayIs...
#WorldNGODay
#27thFeb2026

On #WorldNGODay 2026, we reaffirm that child online safety is a matter of dignity.

Inclusion means protecting every child including children with disabilities, rural communities, and underserved families from digital harm.

A safe internet is a right, not a privilege.

#RestoringDignityThroughInclusion

AfricaChildOnlineSafetyAlliance

[MACRA @MACRAMALAWI]

MACRA ndi YONECO alimbikitsa kugwirana manja poteteza ana pa intaneti pa Safe Internet Day ku Zomba Catholic Secondary (23th-25th Feb).

Anati intaneti ili ndi zoopsa ngati nyanja yokhala ndimafunde ndipo ana okumana ndi nkhanza amafunikira uphungu.

#MACRA
#261TollFree

[Cyber Security Authority Ghana @CSAGhana]

Everyone has a role to play.

* Parents and caregivers must become digitally informed and actively engaged in their children’s online lives.
* Schools must embed digital citizenship, ethical use, and safety literacy into teaching and learning at every level.

#SaferDigitalGhana

[@ACOSA @ACOSAllianc]

#ChildOnlineProtectionUpdateAfrica
#SaferInternetDay2026 #Zambia

The SMART Zambia Institute, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Zambia, has intensified its nationwide child online safety campaign through targeted school engagements in Lusaka, underscoring digital literacy as central to Zambia’s digital transformation agenda.

The initiative forms part of global commemorations for Safer Internet Day 2026 and focuses on equipping young people with practical tools to navigate online risks responsibly.

The campaign officially launched on February 17 at Munali Boys and Munali Girls Secondary Schools, before extending to Kamulanga Secondary School on February 19, where students participated in interactive sessions on cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior.

Full Update:
https://t.co/nsfZMzcDR4
@Smart ZambiaInstitute

#SID2026Africa
#ChildOnlineProtectionAfrica

[@ACOSA @ACOSAllianc]

#ChildOnlineSafetyUpdate-Africa
#Ghana
From Validation to Action: Ghana Trains Industry on Child Online Protection Guidelines. After months of consultations to develop and validate Ghana’s Child Online Protection Guidelines for industry, @CSAGhana , in partnership with @UNICEFGhana , held a two-day capacity-building programme to support their implementation.

The training brought together telecommunications companies, technology firms and civil society actors to explore practical measures such as embedding child safety into corporate governance, applying safety-by-design principles, and establishing clear internal COP policies and accountability structures.

Sessions also addressed mechanisms for detecting, reporting and responding to Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), emphasizing coordinated and timely action among stakeholders.

#ChildOnlineProtectionAfrica

[acsainigeria @acsainigeria]

We unite voices worldwide to say #NoToNudify. We call for safety-by-design in AI and a global ban on nudifying tools. Governments, tech firms, and citizens must act, ban, block, report, and protect. Join the movement: https://t.co/cCbZyLzrn2�