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The long school holidays are here with us, giving learners a well-deserved break to relax, spend time with family, explore their interests and enjoy their free time.

For many children, this also means more time on smartphones, tablets, computers, gaming platforms, and social media. While technology offers opportunities for learning, creativity, and entertainment, increased internet use can expose children to online risks without proper guidance.

As schools close, cyber safety becomes a shared responsibility for parents, guardians, teachers, and learners. The aim is not to keep children away from technology but to help them use it safely, responsibly and positively.

Understanding the Online Risks

Children may encounter inappropriate content, cyberbullying, online scams, or individuals who attempt to exploit them through digital platforms.

According to UNICEF’sreport, published in September 2026, an estimated 26.83% of internet-using children aged 12–17 in Kenya, equivalent to approximately 1.29 million children, experienced at least one form of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in the previous year.

These findings highlight the importance of helping children recognize online dangers and making online safety part of everyday family conversations.

How Parents Can Keep Children Safe Online

During the school holidays, parents, guardians, and caregivers have an important role to play in keeping children safe as they navigate the online world. Here are some practical steps they can take:

• Set clear screen-time boundaries– Establish reasonable limits for recreational screen time and encourage children to balance device use with outdoor play, reading, family activities and rest.
• Know what your children do online– Take an interest in the apps, websites, games, and platforms they use. Ask what they watch, who they interact with and what they learn.
• Protect personal information– Teach children never to share passwords, home addresses, phone numbers, live locations, or private photographs with strangers. Encourage strong passwords and appropriate privacy settings.
• Encourage open communication. Let children know they can approach you if someone sends them disturbing messages, requests private pictures, threatens them, or makes them uncomfortable. Listen calmly and help them report the incident without blaming them.

The Role of Teachers in Promoting Cyber Safety

Teachers can prepare learners for responsible digital behavior before schools close. They can remind learners about online privacy, cyberbullying, respectful communication, and the importance of verifying information found online.

Teachers can also recommend suitable digital resources for revision, reading, research, and practicing classroom concepts. Sharing practical online safety guidance with parents helps reinforce these lessons at home.

Cyber safety education should not end when the school term ends. The habits learners develop can protect them both inside and outside the classroom.

Making Learning Fun and Interactive with KlickIt Education

The long holiday does not mean learning has to stop. With the right digital tools, children can continue practicing what they have learned in engaging and enjoyable ways.

The KlickIt Education Learning App allows learners to interact with educational content through games, puzzles, quizzes, and drag-and-drop activities. These activities help learners practice concepts, test their understanding, and participate actively in revision.

Parents can encourage children to use educational technology alongside other holiday activities, making screen time more purposeful while maintaining appropriate supervision and healthy boundaries.

READ Also: Understanding Concept Matters more than Memorizing in KPSEA and KJSEA Preparations

The aim is to combine the enjoyment of interactive learning with opportunities to practice, understand, and grow.

Making the Holiday Safer for Every Learner

Keeping children safe online requires cooperation. Parents provide guidance at home, teachers reinforce responsible digital habits, and learners practice making safer choices whenever they use connected devices.

This holiday, let us encourage children to explore, learn, play and connect responsibly. Keep communication open, establish clear boundaries and guide children towards positive digital experiences.

Let us also remember that, online safety is not just about limiting screen time. It is about equipping children with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the digital world safely.