Nairobi, Kenya – Mtoto News has officially launched the Gear Model of Child Participation in the Digital Age, a first-of-its-kind framework developed in Africa to guide how children can meaningfully participate in digital spaces.
Unveiled today, the model is the result of years of engagement with children across the continent and aims to shift how governments, tech developers, educators, and caregivers include children in the design, use, and governance of technology. At its core, the Gear Model emphasizes that children should not only be protected online but also empowered to shape the digital world around them.
“Children are already leading in digital spaces. They’re creating, coding, and podcasting. This model isn’t about giving them permission, it’s about creating systems that support what they’re already doing,” said Jennifer Kaberi, The Director of Mtoto News and the lead Author of the Model.
The model is built around three interconnected components or “gears”: Preparation, Platform, and Feedback. These gears are held together by a central “bolt” representing adult and institutional support and surrounded by a protective arc that includes laws, safety standards, and ethical design.
Preparation focuses on equipping children with digital literacy, including understanding Artificial Intelligence, data protection, misinformation, and their digital rights. Through programs like Sauti Zetu, Mtoto News has already trained over 10,000 children in digital awareness and online safety.
The platform is about creating inclusive, child-led digital spaces that are safe by design. Initiatives such as Shajara Magazine, Toto on Podcast, and child-led consultations at the Africa Children Summit show what it looks like when children lead, not just participate.
Feedback, the third gear, closes the loop by ensuring that children’s voices aren’t just collected but actually used to inform decisions. Whether through policy declarations or content development, Mtoto News has ensured that young people see the impact of their contributions.
The model was developed with direct input from children across Africa and builds on Mtoto News’s experience in digital literacy, child-led media, and online safety. It is deeply informed by African contexts and reflects the realities and aspirations of children on the continent especially those in under-connected or underserved areas.
“African children are not waiting for Silicon Valley to notice them. They are innovating, organizing, and building with the little they have. The Gear Model recognises this and says: let’s build with them, not for them,” said Jennifer.
Mtoto News is now calling on governments, tech platforms, education stakeholders, and child rights organizations to adopt and implement the Gear Model. The model is freely available for review and includes guidance for integration into national AI policies, digital literacy strategies, and child protection systems.
The launch comes at a time when children’s digital experiences are becoming more complex, with rising concerns around AI bias, online violence, and data exploitation. Yet, in many global and regional frameworks, children remain excluded from the decision-making table.
Mtoto News plans to roll out training and partner engagements across Africa to support implementation of the model and ensure that children’s voices are not just heard, but acted on.