The Zimbabwean Government has begun preliminary work on legislation to protect children from online abuse following the adoption of the Zimbabwe Na...
HARARE – The Zimbabwean Government has begun preliminary work on legislation to protect children from online abuse following the adoption of the Zimbabwe National Child Online Protection Policy (2026–2030).
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Dr Beullah Chirume, said the proposed law would complement the policy and strengthen Zimbabwe’s response to risks children face as internet use continues to grow.
“Government also recognises the need for an accompanying Act and we are already at the preliminary stages of developing that legislation,” Chirume said.
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She was speaking during a Child Online Protection Policy Unpacking Workshop in Harare, which marked the start of efforts to put the policy into practice. The policy was launched in Bulawayo on July 10, 2026, by Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi.
Chirume said increased digital connectivity had created opportunities for children in areas such as education, entertainment and communication, but had also exposed them to cyberbullying, online grooming, sexual exploitation, harmful content and misuse of personal information.
Zimbabwe’s internet penetration has reached 87.39 percent, while broadband penetration stands at 85.83 percent and mobile penetration has surpassed 108.53 percent, according to figures presented at the workshop.
Data traffic also increased by 57.28 percent, rising from 114.02 petabytes to 179.33 petabytes in the year to the first quarter of 2026.
“Behind these figures are children going online for education, play and connection with their peers, inheriting both the promise of this digital economy and its risks,” Chirume said.
She said the Government had a responsibility to respond to online risks facing children, noting that more than 300 million children are victimised online globally each year.
The workshop focused on moving beyond adopting the policy towards implementation. Discussions are expected to address its nine strategic focus areas, including legislation, prevention, education, institutional strengthening, public awareness, corporate responsibility, research and monitoring.
Chirume urged participants to identify gaps and capacity challenges that could affect implementation.
“This policy will only be as strong as the implementation plan we build around it,” she said.
Child President Tinashe Mugodhi called for strong action against online abuse and urged stakeholders to remain focused on protecting children.
“We must not fumble. We must be brutal. We must be radical on issues that concern child protection,” he said.
Save the Children Communications Specialist Cynthia Chimbhunde said protecting children online was a shared responsibility involving Government, parents, communities, development partners, the private sector and children themselves.
“As digital technologies become an increasingly important part of children’s lives, protecting children online is a shared responsibility,” she said.
She added that children’s participation in the workshop was important to ensure that implementation reflected their experiences in the digital environment.
National Director of the Zimbabwe National Coalition for the Welfare of Children Reverend Taylor Nyanhete said parents remained the first line of defence in protecting children online.
He said parents needed to remain actively involved in their children’s online activities and teach them how to use digital platforms responsibly.
Nyanhete also welcomed the proposed legislation, saying a legal framework would strengthen enforcement and accountability.
The Zimbabwe National Child Online Protection Policy (2026–2030) is the country’s first national framework specifically focused on protecting children in the digital environment.
The policy was developed through consultations involving Government, civil society, academia, development partners, the private sector and children.
The Government now intends to develop legislation to support the policy and provide a stronger legal framework for protecting children from online risks while allowing them to benefit from digital technology.
