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Article

5 Mar 2020

Author:
Pauline Kairu, Business Daily (Kenya)

Africa: Social media companies' initiatives to curb misuse, incl. misinformation & online child abuse

"Social media takes fight against fake news notch higher"

Social media can easily be summed up as one of the greatest innovations of the century. It has affected lives and organisations immensely, and in many positive ways. But on the flipside it has in various instances become a cesspool of the propagation of untruths that have led to untold mass hysteria, agony, human suffering, financial loss and even death...Social media giants like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp, Youtube, Snapchat have in recent times all come under increasing pressure to stop the spread of false information.

And the pressure is bearing fruit with giants Facebook, Google and Twitter recently announcing they were entering into collaboration with third-party fact-checking organisations like Africa-check to identify stories that fail to hold up to scrutiny, and warn users when they try to post or share these stories. In Kenya, tech firms Google and Facebook announced they were investing millions to combat cyberbullying like targeted rumours, threats and making sexual remarks that target children and youth. Just last week, Google committed Sh100 million to firms that promote safe internet use by focusing on internet privacy, trust and safety across Africa. Google made a commitment to enhance cyber security during the launch of an internet-based literacy website for children dubbed Be Internet Awesome...

Facebook on the other hand recently announced its partnership with nine organisations across Africa including Kenya’s Watoto Watch to ensure that its social media platforms are safe for use by children. “We're committed to ensuring Facebook and Instagram are safe places for everyone, especially the youth,” said Strategic Media Partnerships Manager for Facebook in sub-Saharan Africa, Jocelyne Muhutu-Rémy.