Yesterday I visited a cyber. It has been a long time since I did. I realised that so much has changed since the last time I went to one. What I witnessed yesterday is food for thought to all the parents out there.

I sat at a station next to this young boy. About 9year old, I would say. It took me a while to familiarise myself with the place and in the process I chanced to glance at him. My neighbor for the next several minutes. That little guy had me staring. He had several tabs open. And kept shifting one to another. I took the opportunity to have a look while my computer was loading. He had one face book page which he kept updating, A game running and yes an adult page too.

Forgive me for snooping but I just couldn't help but notice. So as this little guy sat there flipping tab after the other in enviable speed, I sat there wondering. Did his parents really know what he was up to? Being a Sunday, had he had an opportunity to go to church? And the cyber attendant, did he not know what this guy was up to while constantly criss-crossing the room? Is it all about cash for him?

At this point I was very afraid. Any parent out there should be too. I mean, if our children are turning to cybers to view what is forbidden at our homes then we have a huge problem brewing. No wonder kids nowadays are getting it all wrong! From the way they do adult dances to the texts they send each other. We are exposing kids to stuff that is not meant for them and in the process messing up with their thinking. There is even a clip of children dancing in the most lewd way with adults clapping and cheering them on!

The direction of any people is determined by the kind of kids they bring up. Kids brought up with the fear of God grow up with their morals intact and know where to take life's challenges. On the other hand when parents completely leave their kids to the world they learn all there is because after all the world does not care about who they become. It is all about an audience to them. And this is the case on our TV stations as well. Radio stations too. The media exposes our kids to all sorts of stuff, no holds barred. You can imagine sitting in a matatu with your child, having to listen to a detailed discussion about cheating spouses, with people calling in to give their own experiences. All around you everyone else is having a ball!

Back to my little friend. He called the cyber attendant at some point. He was having trouble opening a link on face book. A link of some popular musician. Now if you ask me, we all need to be careful what music our kids listen to. And keep informed too. It is quite sickening watching a video of some musician, with tattoos all over his body, only half dressed chanting God knows what to some excited female fans. Resulting in half the women throwing themselves to him in a frenzy.

And so my little cyber friend may not be alone. Most likely what he viewed yesterday will be discussed at his school break, alongside his excited peers. God forbid they should try acting out the same. I believe there is a solution about this. Parents need to constantly talk to their kids about stuff. And keep a listening ear on the ground too. Even control what is viewed at home. Freedom only comes with responsibility. And our kids are far from responsible yet.

Only last week we got an interpretation of a song done by a west African musician. The words are appalling! As much as am guilty to having listened and enjoyed the song mainly for the beat, that brought a close to my enjoying it any more. Because I am no longer ignorant to the meaning that was not understood to me before. But there are kids and people listening to this song, innocently enjoying the beats. What makes it worse is that the said musician is coming to perform in Kenya this week.

They say that what you take in obviously has an effect on you. People get affected by music they listen to which has  hidden meanings and codes. Needless to say we all need to be careful and get involved in what it is our kids are listening to. Join in with them so that we get a feel of their world. That way we shall be able to point out the dangers that lurk in all these places that they may be too young to grasp yet. That does not mean I will enjoy listening to some musician chanting what seems to be a song, interjected with groans and pants all so exciting to the youth but pure disgrace to me.