Written by Alice Njoki.
Today, more and more children spend a lot of time online playing games, learning, chatting or watching videos. But have you ever thought about how much say children really have in the digital world they live in? The truth is that many children use technology without being asked what they think or want. That’s why Mtoto News created something called the “Gear Model of Child Participation” to help change this.
The Gear Model is a new way to make sure children don’t just use digital tools but they also get to influence and shape them safely and meaningfully. It’s like a machine made of three important parts, or “gears,” working together. Having the four main gear models: gear preparation, gear platform, gear feedback and gear protective arc today we are going to be focusing mainly on gear preparation:
But today we will just focus on the preparation gear,
Before children can fully take part online, they need to be ready. This means learning digital skills like understanding how technology works, knowing about online safety, and recognizing their rights on the internet. When children are prepared, they can join conversations and decisions about digital tools without feeling lost or worried.
Gear of Preparation” in Mtoto News’s Gear Model of Child Participation is all about getting children ready so they can participate safely, confidently and meaningfully online.
The Gear Model shows that child participation in digital spaces works like a machine with gears turning together. so without the preparation gear, the rest can’t move forward.
Why Does Preparation Matter?
Have you ever been asked to join a conversation on a topic you barely understand. Frustrating, right? The same goes for digital participation. If children don’t have the right knowledge and skills, they can feel left out or even unsafe. Preparation gives them a solid foundation.
Mtoto News has put this into practice through programs like “Sauti Zetu,” which has trained over 10,000 children to become digital advocates. These kinds of initiatives help children learn not only about technology but also about their rights and how to speak up, turning them from passive users into active participants.
Preparing children also means making sure they have access to devices, reliable internet, and supportive adults who can guide them. For many children, especially in marginalized areas, this can be a huge challenge. Without access, digital literacy is impossible.
With strong preparation, kids are ready to move on to the next gear Platforms where they can speak out, and Feedback systems that show their voices matter. But none of this works well unless the preparation gear is turning.
Preparation is truly the key to unlocking children’s participation in the digital world helping them grow into empowered digital citizens who don’t just use technology but help shape it.
By focusing first on preparation, Mtoto News’s Gear Model shows that meaningful child participation online starts with knowledge, skills, access, and confidence. Once children are prepared, their voices can power change for a safer and fairer digital future.