Google has announced significant initiatives across Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, bolstering its ongoing efforts to ensure the online safety of children, young people, and families. These endeavors are in direct alignment with this year’s global Safer Internet Day theme, “Together for a better Internet.” Google has forged partnerships with various organizations across the African continent to amplify education and develop comprehensive programs focused on online safety. Juliet Ehimuan, Country Director, Google Nigeria, emphasized the critical timing of these initiatives, stating, “With an estimated 346 million internet users that came online for the first time in the last year, and 376 million new social media users, there is no better time for us to help people stay safe online.”

A core component of these efforts is Google.org’s Africa Online Safety Fund, which seeks to advance the work of nonprofits and social enterprises. Under the administration of this fund, Google.org provided a grant to Impact Amplifier and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. This grant enabled an open call across the continent to identify the most innovative and impactful nonprofit organizations operating in the online safety domain. As a result, 26 social impact organizations across nine African countries have been selected to receive grants of up to $100,000 each. Among these, five Nigerian organizations; Epower, LagosMums, Velma Foundation, Hive Creative Guild, and Teens Can Code were chosen. This crucial funding will be directed towards projects designed to combat online vulnerabilities, disinformation, and extremism, benefiting children, youth, families, schools, and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

In addition to financial support, Google has engaged in collaborative educational initiatives. Notably, Google partnered with Nigerian author Nomthi Odukoya to create the children’s online safety book titled ‘How to be Safe Online’. This month, 30,000 physical copies of the book are being distributed to learners in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. For broader accessibility, the book is also available online through Google’s Read-Along app.

Juliet Ehimuan further underscored the paramount importance of online safety, particularly as more children, young people, and families have increasingly relied on the internet for learning and work amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Google is committed to continuously empowering teachers, parents, and guardians with the necessary tools to safeguard children online. This holistic approach also involves sustained collaboration with governmental bodies, including Kenya’s Communications Authority, Nigeria’s Public and Private Development Centre, and South Africa’s Department of Social Development. These partnerships are essential to securing the necessary backing to foster a better internet experience for all users, with a particular focus on young children and families throughout the continent. To further assist users in protecting themselves and their families, Google encourages utilizing tools such as the Password Manager with a Google account and regularly performing Security Checkups. Additional resources and information can be found at the Google Safety Center.