In 2025, MTN advanced its Help Children Be Children (HCBC) campaign through the Bona Bana Programme, MTN South Africa’s flagship child participation initiative. The programme strengthened children’s digital human rights through youth-led learning, advocacy and institutional capacity building. South African children continue to face serious online risks. UNICEF’s Disrupting Harm study found that 7–9% of internet-using children had experienced online sexual exploitation or abuse, while many schools lacked the skills and resources to respond. Bona Bana addressed this gap by embedding practical digital literacy in schools, strengthening safeguarding approaches and enabling meaningful youth participation. 

What we did 

The programme was delivered through two core initiatives, facilitated by Moxii Africa (formerly Media Monitoring Africa). First, 246 Representative Council of Learners (RCLs) aged 12–17 completed two-day workshops across five provinces, covering AI and algorithms, cyberbullying, CSAM, responsible communication and harmful content. Second, trained Web Rangers worked with teachers to reach a further 1 217 learners through peer-led sessions, with teachers noting stronger learner engagement when messages came from peers. Web Rangers also supported awareness campaigns during key national moments, reaching an additional 1 626 learners and engaging parents. In parallel, the Article 12 policy working group produced youth-led research and advocacy outputs, including work on climate disinformation, contributions to an M2O* policy brief, a comic on AI and disinformation, and a podcast series for 16 Days of Activism. Media Development and Diversity (MDDA), South African Police Services (SAPS) and the Films and Publication Board (FPB) supported delivery through expertise, resources and policy linkages. 

Outcomes and impact 

Bona Bana strengthened digital literacy, improved school safeguarding practices and supported more confident parent engagement. Building on results from the 2024 model that informed 2025 delivery, 2 424 learners were reached across seven provinces, along with 35 teachers and five school governing body members. Feedback indicated 95% of teachers felt better equipped to address online harms and schools began strengthening online safety content in safeguarding policies. The Article 12 Working Group also deepened collaboration with policymakers and digital platforms. 

Lessons learnt 

The programme revealed the importance of multilingual materials, deeper engagement with school governance structures and diversified funding for policy work. Overall, Bona Bana demonstrated a scalable, child-centred approach to digital inclusion and will inform future efforts to protect children online while advancing their digital human rights. Read more Child online protection continued * Media 20 (M20) is the official G20 youth engagement initiative focused on media, journalism and information integrity.