NAIROBI, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The UN on Tuesday pledged to help Kenya to boost its online child safety.

Monika Sandvik-Nylund, chief child protection officer of United Nations children's fund (UNICEF) Kenya told journalists in Nairobi that new social media platforms are developing every time which are potential risk grounds for children unless appropriate measures are put in place.

"We are facilitating the government to develop a multi-sectoral child protection action plan that will help all partners come together to promote online child safety," Sandvik-Nylund said during celebrations to mark Safer Internet Day.

Sandvik-Nylund said that the child protection plan will provide a roadmap to address online abuse and exploitation of minors and will be launched in the next six weeks.

"It will also provide concrete measures on how the judiciary and all relevant stakeholders can improve online child safety," he added.

According to the UN agency, Kenya is one of the frontrunner countries in Africa that have established dedicated child protection units to enhance child safety on the internet.

Maureen Mbaka, chief administrative secretary of the state department of Information Communication Technology ( ICT) said that the government is committed to putting in place rules, structures and policies to ensure that children can use the Internet and other ICT services safely.

"The government will among other measures develop a legislative framework that embraces child online protection," Mbaka added.

She observed that the country will through relevant agencies, develop local public awareness information and content targeting various audiences, including children.

"We shall also develop an innovative, online values program, to instill the right online values in children as well as foster the development of technical tools and services in the market to minimize the risk of exposure to children," she revealed.

According to the government official, law enforcement agencies and judicial officers will be equipped to adequately handle children's online protection related matters, besides developing a framework for collaboration between local and international organizations. Enditem

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