Janet Mbugua warns parents about hidden online lives shaping children in real time
Media personality Janet Mbugua has raised concerns about the growing influence of the online space on children, warning parents that many are unaware of what their children are exposed to in real time.
On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, she explained that children today are living part of their lives online, where their thoughts and behaviour are being shaped daily. Janet said this digital environment is often hidden from parents, making it harder to guide and protect them.
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“Hey, mums, dads, guardians. There is a version of your child you are not meeting because it lives online,” Janet Mbugua said.
She added that while many parents may already know about the internet’s influence, they are not treating it with the seriousness it deserves. Janet explained that the issue goes beyond screen time and touches on what children consume and who influences them.
“But it’s being shaped in real time by what they watch, what they scroll and who they listen to when you are not there,” she explained.
Janet said the situation requires urgent attention, noting that the online world is evolving faster than how parents are responding to it. She added that many homes have not adjusted their approach to match the current reality.
“Truth is, we are still treating this like a small issue. It is not,” Janet Mbugua said.
Online influence and parenting gap
She went on to explain that the gap between the digital world and parental awareness continues to grow. Janet said this gap is making it difficult for parents to understand what their children are going through fully.
She added that as technology continues to change, conversations at home have not kept up. Janet explained that this has left many children to navigate online spaces without proper guidance.
“Because while the world has moved, our protection, our awareness, even our conversations have lagged,” she said.
Janet stressed that parents and guardians need to become more aware of what children are exposed to online. She explained that understanding this hidden part of their lives is important in helping them grow safely.
