NAIROBI, Kenya — All Kenyans may soon be required to verify their age using national ID cards before accessing popular social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn — if a new bill currently before Parliament is passed into law.
The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Aldai MP Marianne Kitany, seeks to curb underage access to online platforms and establish a safer digital environment for children.
“The society as a whole, including all participants of the internet ecosystem, are responsible for safeguarding the rights of children in their access and use of information, communication, and technological (ICT) products and services,” reads a section of the proposed legislation.
Tightening Digital Access
If enacted, the law will compel Content Service Providers (CSPs) and Application Service Providers (ASPs) to enforce robust age verification systems across all user accounts.
This would include verifying national ID numbers at the point of login or registration.
Mobile service providers will also be required to ensure that every SIM card is fully registered to an individual user — closing loopholes that currently allow anonymous or underage use of mobile data to access platforms.
According to Kitany, existing age-gating systems — such as asking users to input their birthdates — are easily circumvented through false information and pseudonyms, rendering them ineffective.
Global Trend, Local Impact
If adopted, Kenya would join a growing list of countries introducing tighter restrictions to protect minors from harmful or inappropriate online content.
Although there is currently no universal framework for social media age verification, countries such as the UK, Australia, and several US states have already introduced or proposed similar reforms.
The bill adds fresh momentum to national debates on digital regulation, data privacy, and child safety in the online space.
It also raises critical questions about user privacy, enforcement challenges, and the role of tech companies in protecting minors while preserving digital rights.
What’s Next?
The bill is expected to go through public participation and parliamentary debate in the coming months.
If approved, tech platforms operating in Kenya may be required to overhaul their user verification systems to comply with local laws — or risk penalties.
While the proposal has already sparked conversations around digital freedoms and feasibility, its supporters argue that the safety of children online must come first in a fast-evolving digital landscape.
