THE Cyber Crimes Act No. 4 of 2025 prohibits pedophiles who have long used the anonymity of the internet to prey on children.
With advancement of technology and children getting access to smart devices as well as the internet at a young age, minors are constantly at risk of getting webbed into numerous trouble without proper surveillance as cyber criminals are moving like roaring lions looking for someone to devour.
The law, targets individuals who use computers or internet platforms to produce, distribute, view or access child pornography.
It also clamps down on online child solicitation, grooming, and human trafficking crimes often committed in secret corners of the internet.
According to Section 15 of the Act, anyone who intentionally engages in activities such as producing or distributing child pornography, exposing children to pornographic content, or even merely possessing such material on a computer, commits a serious offence.
Upon conviction, such individuals will face no less than 15 years and up to 25 years in prison.
The law is even more unforgiving for those who use digital platforms to lure children.
Section 16 makes it a crime to arrange meetings with children for sexual purposes, communicate with the intent to abuse them or recruit them for pornographic performances, even if no physical meeting occurs.
Offenders risk being jailed for up to 25 years.
“A person shall not intentionally, using a computer or computer system— (a) arrange a meeting with a child with the intent of abusing
or engaging in sexual activity with the child or producing child pornography, whether or not that person takes any steps to effect such a meeting; (b) communicate with or attract a child for the purpose of making it easier to procure the child to engage in sexual activity with that person or another person; or
(c) recruit a child to participate in pornographic performances intended to be produced or recorded with or without the intention to distribute such material through a computer or computer system.”
“A person who contravenes subsection (1), commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding twenty-five years,” says the Section 16.
Furthermore, under Section 17, grooming a child online to facilitate or encourage sexual activity is now officially criminalised.
A minimum sentence of 15 years, with the possibility of up to 25 years behind bars has been imposed.
What makes this law particularly striking is that it does not require actual contact between the offender and the child.
Intent and digital communication alone are enough to warrant arrest and prosecution.
“A person shall not intentionally, using a computer or computer system, groom a child for the purpose of facilitating or encouraging sexual conduct with that child.”
“A person who contravenes subsection (1), commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term of
not less than fifteen years and not exceeding twenty-five years.”
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, May 12, 2025
