In 2024, Praesidio conducted nationwide research to understand the online experiences of children in Tanzania and the pressures that lead to unsafe digital situations. Speaking with over 700 children, parents, teachers, and NGO staff, we found that most young people navigate the online world with little or no safety guidance, leaving them vulnerable to manipulation, social pressure, and harmful digital trends.
Poverty, peer influence, and online culture were identified as major drivers of risk. At the same time, adults told us they feel underprepared to support children, with limited training, limited resources in schools, and significant cultural barriers that prevent open conversations about online challenges.
Despite these obstacles, children, parents, and teachers all expressed a strong desire for digital education, trusted reporting channels, community workshops, and better support systems. Strengthening digital skills, rebuilding trust between adults and children, and providing safe opportunities for young people were seen as key steps toward a safer online environment.
Our findings highlight an urgent need for collaborative, nationwide action, ensuring that every child in Tanzania can explore the digital world safely, confidently, and without fear.
We have since widened our research to include Zanzibar with its unique culture and tourist industry, which brings its own risks to children. We are now beginning a second round of research with children to establish how they want to receive education, help, advice and support with a view to planning a prevention campaign. We are in the process of establishing Tanzanian and Zanzibarian NGO partnerships to manage the necessary change for the long term.