The Zanzibar government has launched a comprehensive nationwide campaign to shield children from online dangers, responding to growing concerns about the exposure of young internet users to harmful digital content and cybercrime across the archipelago.

Minister Mudrik Ramadhan Soraga of the Zanzibar Ministry of Communication, Information Technology and Innovation announced the initiative, emphasizing the urgency of protecting children as internet penetration deepens in homes and educational institutions throughout the islands.The campaign comes at a critical time when digital access is expanding rapidly but adequate safeguards remain underdeveloped.Research data shows 67% of Tanzanian children use the internet, with approximately 200,000 aged 12-17 experiencing cybercrime.The initiative involves collaboration between government agencies, international organizations like UNICEF, and tech firms such as Serensic Africa.

Key strategies include awareness campaigns, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and exploring solutions like child-specific SIM cards with content restrictions.

The campaign targets all children under 18 in Unguja and Pemba districts, aiming to create a safer digital environment through collective responsibility across families, institutions, and society.