Principal: Digital platforms should promote dignity, not humiliation
St. Augustine’s Teachers’ Training College–Ishiara Principal, Rev. Fr. Isaiah Njiru, has urged young people to embrace responsible and ethical use of technology and social media, saying digital platforms should be used to build lives, share knowledge and promote human dignity.
Fr. Njiru, who is also a professional counsellor and the Chairperson of the Kenya Counselling and Psychology Association (KCPA), Embu Chapter, expressed concern over the increasing misuse of social media, where some users resort to humiliating and shaming others instead of fostering understanding and unity.
Speaking during Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in the Diocese of Embu, the Principal emphasized that technology is a powerful tool meant to ease life and help people overcome challenges, not to harm or punish others.
He called on young people to use digital platforms for learning, innovation and positive engagement.
Drawing from his counselling experience, Fr. Njiru encouraged individuals facing conflict or anger to seek dialogue and reconciliation rather than turning to harmful online behaviour.
He cautioned against sharing offensive messages or images that demean others, noting that such actions leave lasting emotional and psychological effects.
His message comes at a time when society is grappling with growing concerns over digital ethics and online responsibility, following recent incidents that have sparked national debate on privacy and respect in the digital space.
Fr. Njiru challenged students and the wider community to be responsible digital citizens, urging them to let technology unite people, promote respect and contribute to holistic human development in line with the values upheld by St. Augustine’s Teachers’ Training College.
