The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has urged parents, guardians, and caregivers to closely monitor children’s media consumption during the April school holidays, warning that audio-visual content can significantly influence young minds.
In a consumer advisory released on Wednesday, the Board noted that children will have increased access to television, online streaming platforms, and other digital content, making them more vulnerable to harmful or age-inappropriate material.
“Research has shown that film and media content influence the behaviour and thinking of consumers, especially children, who are highly impressionable,” the statement read.
The KFCB emphasized the need for parents to take an active role in guiding what their children watch.
Among its key recommendations, the Board advised families to “set screen-time rules to limit the amount of time children spend on TV and other broadcast channels,” and to “restrict access to age-inappropriate content through parental control features available on streaming platforms and devices.”
It further encouraged families to watch content together, noting that this creates an opportunity not only to supervise viewing but also to engage children in meaningful discussions.
“Watching audio-visual content together as a family… provides an opportunity for meaningful discussions about the content,” the Board said.
Parents were also urged to steer children toward educational and value-based programming that promotes creativity and critical thinking, while remaining vigilant about their children’s general activities during the holiday period.
The regulator also issued a stern warning to video show operators, PlayStation outlets, and other film exhibitors, cautioning them against admitting children to premises screening restricted material.
The Board stated that minors should only be allowed access to content rated for General Exhibition (GE).
The KFCB also encouraged the public to report harmful or inappropriate content for review and classification, reinforcing its mandate to protect young audiences.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Board highlighted its Parents’ Digital Literacy Programme (PADIL), aimed at equipping parents with skills to navigate emerging technologies.
“Protecting children from exposure to inappropriate content is a collective responsibility,” the statement read.
