ABSTRACT

This study explored internet use by adolescents, aged 12–14 years, who reported negative online experiences in Kenya. A qualitative case study method was employed, using in-depth interviews and thematic analysis. The study’s findings show that young people frequently used online platforms at night for entertainment (online gaming, betting, chatting, and streaming content) and educational purposes (searching for educational content). The challenges they encountered included fraud, stalking, pop-ups, and accidental access to adult content. They devised strategies for staying safe that included going offline, ignoring messages, deleting accounts, and hiding online (e.g. fake photos or IDs). Study findings indicate that female users more readily reported issues they encountered online than males. The study suggests the need for strategic partnerships between relevant international and local stakeholders to create awareness and empowerment programs (training, advocacy, and resourcing) to address online risks through the media, formal school programs, and parent–teacher associations.

IMPACT SUMMARY

a. Prior State of Knowledge:

While adolescents’ digital platform use has been studied extensively in other countries, little is known about the online behaviors of African adolescents in general and Kenyan adolescents in particular.

b. Novel Contributions:

This study responds to the public dialogues on the security and safety of adolescents using internet resources in Kenya and elsewhere by providing empirical data on the internet safety of adolescents in Kenyan schools.

c. Practical Implications:

Stakeholders are encouraged to form strategic international and local partnerships to create awareness, implement empowering training programs, as well as advocate and provide resources through the media, parent–teacher associations, and formal school programs that address adolescents’ online risks.

摘要

本研究探讨了 12 至 14 岁的青少年在肯尼亚报告负面在线体验的互联网使用情况。采用定性案例研究方法，使用深入访谈和主题分析。研究结果表明，年轻人经常在晚上使用在线平台进行娱乐（在线游戏、投注、聊天和流媒体内容）和教育目的（搜索教育内容）。他们遇到的挑战包括欺诈、跟踪、弹出窗口和意外访问成人内容。他们设计了保持安全的策略，包括离线、忽略消息、删除帐户和隐藏在线（例如假照片或 ID）。研究结果表明，女性用户比男性更容易报告他们在网上遇到的问题。

影响总结

一种。先前的知识状态：

虽然青少年的数字平台使用在其他国家得到了广泛的研究，但对非洲青少年尤其是肯尼亚青少年的在线行为知之甚少。

湾。小说贡献：

本研究通过提供有关肯尼亚学校青少年互联网安全的经验数据，回应了肯尼亚和其他地方关于青少年使用互联网资源的安全性的公开对话。

C。实际影响：

鼓励利益相关者建立战略性国际和地方合作伙伴关系，以提高认识，实施授权培训计划，并通过媒体、家长教师协会和正规学校计划宣传和提供资源，以解决青少年的在线风险。