Jennifer Kaberi, a mother, is also the founder and CEO of Mtoto News, a children’s digital company whose mission is to make children visible. In this article, Jennifer talks to ODHIAMBO NEEMA about how she parents in the digital age, leveraging rather than shying away from digital media.

“How can we leverage technology for good?”

This one question would change Jennifer Kaberi’s view of digital media, and consequently, alter her life’s trajectory. Contrary to most parents today, Jennifer, a mum of two, embraces digital media and teaches them how to leverage it for good. However, she didn’t always see it this way.

Back when Facebook started, Jennifer was a mom blogger. At some point, however, she felt that technology was too toxic for her and left the platform; save for LinkedIn, which she used to look for work, exposing her to articles about how to maximize the digital space, igniting her interest in understanding how technology could be leveraged for good.

At around the same time, an incident at home spurred Jennifer on the path to understanding technology more:

“I started noticing my daughter, then she was about 3, 4, 5… she was just trying to go from being a toddler to getting to know herself, and then she discovered she has kinky hair. And then, it’s not just kinky hair… She had really nice locs. My child, after watching cartoons for a few years, decided her hair is not good anymore. And she cried to cut her hair. So, I had to cut her hair. You know how much you invest in locs? Her locs were really long and beautiful,” she explains.

This incident made Jennifer realize the extent to which technology shapes our psyche and mental framework, particularly as Africans. As such, Jennifer was concerned that by the time her daughter was in her teens, she would be someone she wasn’t because she was trying to be so many people. Fortunately, over time her daughter has been able to gain self-confidence and accept herself.

In response to that, Jennifer set out to break the stereotypes technology shapes in children. She wanted to create a space where children could be themselves without being shaped by other people’s thoughts. And thus, Mtoto News was born. Mtoto News has set out to change how technology and what content look like for African children. They do this by empowering children to create their own content so that they can see children who look like them. In order to empower children to take up space in the digital world, Jennifer had to learn the ropes first. She was very intentional about becoming an expert in matters of digital media to harness its full potential. To achieve her goal, she undertook online courses and attended multiple conferences and seminars on digital media. Additionally, reading numerous articles and research papers on the same. Thanks to her dedication to learning, Jennifer’s company, Mtoto News, now creates, curates, and circulates content with, for, and by children. They also provide a platform for children to participate in the digital space, training them to express themselves and use the digital space to effect change and create solutions. Finally, they conduct research on child online participation and children in the digital age. As part of their child participation framework, Mtoto News has a training called Sauti Zetu, which is a digital literacy program where they train children on content creation, communication, collaboration, online safety, how to engage leaders, and how to come up with solutions using the digital space.

Additionally, her learning has enabled her to engage with social media from a more informed lens. Being a parent, her deeper understanding of social and digital media has proven even more insurmountable, as she now makes informed choices when it comes to parenting and social media. For example, understanding basic app features like streaks, which are a private representation of how many consecutive days one has sent a Snap back and forth with a friend on Snapchat, determines how much time she allows her kids to spend on the app. As such, Jennifer tailors her guidelines to each social media platform.

With respect to parenting children on online safety, Jennifer finds that the children she trains want their parents to join them and be more involved in the digital space.

“We asked them what they wanted to tell their parents, and they told us to tell them to come because telling us not to be on social media won’t work… you have to understand their world,” she shares.

Her advice to parents is to immerse themselves in their children’s world, to understand it:

“By restricting them, you are lying to yourself. When you understand that this is their world, and how it operates, what it means to them, you are able to protect them better, ask very informed questions… Don’t go to social media to know how to use it, understand it.”

Banking on nearly a decade of experience, Jennifer notes that there is a marked difference between children who’ve been trained and equipped for the digital space and those who haven’t. More often than not, the former grow up to be more confident and self-assured than the latter.

In the ever-evolving job market, one of the most intense dilemmas faced by professionals is choosing between a job that pays well and one that truly sparks joy. While the allure of a hefty paycheck is hard to ignore, the benefits of engaging in work you love might just outweigh the extra digits on your salary slip—especially when it comes to your financial health and savings habits.

It’s easy to assume that a higher salary directly correlates with better financial stability and more robust savings. However, the reality isn’t always so straightforward. High-paying jobs often come with their own set of challenges, including longer hours, increased stress, and a demanding corporate culture that can leave you feeling drained and disconnected. This dissatisfaction can lead many to seek solace in spending, purchasing temporary comforts to mitigate the unhappiness that comes from a misaligned career path.

Retail therapy, frequent weekend getaways, lavish meals out—these are just a few ways that you might try to compensate for the lack of fulfilment in your professional lives. These expenses add up, slowly chipping away at the financial advantage that a higher salary is supposed to provide.

On the flip side, choosing a career you are passionate about—even if it pays less—might actually help in cultivating healthier saving habits. When you are engaged and satisfied at work, you’re less likely to depend on material goods to boost your mood. This decreases unnecessary spending, allowing you to allocate funds towards savings or investing in experiences that enrich your life in meaningful ways.

Moreover, job satisfaction often leads to greater career longevity and opportunities for advancement, which can result in financial gains that might not be immediately apparent when you first accept a lower-paying position. With increased job satisfaction, you also tend to have more energy and optimism, which are crucial for long-term career development and personal growth.

The critical factor here is sustainability. The assumption in this discussion is that the lower-paying job still provides enough to meet your basic needs and maintain a reasonable lifestyle. This level of financial security is essential for turning job satisfaction into a tool for better savings. Without it, even the most fulfilling job can become a source of stress, undermining the very benefits we’ve discussed.

Choosing between a higher-paying job and one you love is deeply personal and depends on individual circumstances, including financial obligations, career goals, and personal values. It’s important to evaluate not just the immediate benefits but also the long-term implications of your choice. How will this job affect your quality of life, mental health, and financial future?

Ultimately, if sustainable, picking a job that aligns with your passion might not only lead to a happier life but also to better financial health. By reducing the need to fill your life with purchased pleasures, you can save more and invest in your future, proving that sometimes, less can indeed be more.

Young motherhood stands as a testament to resilience, hope, and transformation. Drawing insights from the poignant journey of Muriuki Kiae and responses from young mothers across the nation, this article delves into the heart of early parenthood, exploring the challenges, triumphs, and profound growth that come with being a young mother.

For many young mothers like Muriuki Kiae, the journey begins in solitude. The expected support from extended families and communities, once a staple in the Kenyan fabric, has dwindled, leaving many to navigate this path alone. Muriuki recalls, “When I found out I was pregnant, I was determined to breastfeed exclusively for six months. I was unprepared for the complexities that lay ahead.” The absence of a nurturing presence, such as a mother or aunt, exacerbates the challenge, making the support system a crucial pillar for young mothers.

Balancing Roles and Facing Challenges

The dance between motherhood and personal growth is a delicate one. Young mothers often find themselves juggling educational commitments, burgeoning careers, and their evolving social circles. The transition into motherhood can significantly alter relationships and social dynamics, bringing a new set of emotional and mental challenges. As Muriuki poignantly shares, “My baby would cry, and I would cry. We were both navigating a world we were unprepared for, compounded by the isolation and the silence around young motherhood.”

 Emotional Resilience and Mental Health

The emotional landscape of young motherhood is rich with complexity. Feelings of joy are often intertwined with anxiety, stress, and, as in Muriuki’s experience, the shadow of postpartum depression. “I didn’t know postpartum depression,” Muriuki confesses. “I wish I had this information at my fingertips.” Coping mechanisms become lifelines, with many young mothers turning to community support, counseling, and finding solace in shared experiences.

Lessons, Growth, and Reflections : Photo courtesy

Despite the myriad challenges, young motherhood is also a journey of profound learning and growth. It teaches resilience, the art of balance, and the power of seeking and offering support. Muriuki’s advice to young mothers resonates with wisdom, “A healthy mom calls for a healthy baby. A mom has to be in her right mental space to be able to breastfeed and nurture.” The importance of building a support system, both within the family and the community, becomes clear, highlighting the role of partners, friends, and community members in supporting young mothers.

Young mothers are not just nurturing the next generation; they are shaping the future of their communities. Their aspirations for their children and themselves are steeped in hopes of education, well-being, and a society that embraces and supports young mothers. The journey of young motherhood, with all its trials and triumphs, is a message of empowerment. It speaks to the strength of women who, like Muriuki Kiae, navigate the complexities of early parenthood with courage, transforming challenges into stepping stones for growth and change. In the words of Muriuki, a beacon of resilience and hope, “Understand that when your child is breastfeeding, they’re not just feeding; they’re connecting. And in that connection lies the strength to overcome, to grow, and to thrive.”

Young motherhood in Kenya is a journey marked by courage, resilience, and transformation. As society continues to evolve, the collective narrative of these mothers serves as a powerful testament to the importance of support, understanding, and empowerment in shaping a future where every mother and child can thrive.