How to survive the Kenyan comment section

If there’s one thing Kenyans online are famous for, it’s being brutally honest, sometimes too brutally. For women and girls, the comment section can quickly turn from a place of engagement to a hotspot of harassment, abuse, and trolling. With the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in 2025, understanding how to survive and thrive in these spaces is crucial.

1. Don’t Feed the Trolls

• Ignore aggressive comments: Trolls want a reaction. Responding often fuels more abuse.

• Stay calm: Avoid engaging in arguments or defending yourself repeatedly.

2. Use Platform Tools

• Block and report: Every platform allows you to block abusive users and report harassment. Don’t hesitate to use these tools.

• Comment moderation: On your posts, enable filters for offensive words or limit comments to friends/followers.

3. Protect Your Privacy

• Limit personal details: Avoid posting information that could be used to attack or dox you.

• Check tagging settings: Prevent others from tagging you publicly without your permission.

4. Keep Evidence

• Screenshots: Save abusive messages or comments as proof.

• Reporting to authorities: For threats or harassment, Kenya’s Cybercrime Unit can intervene.

5. Prioritize Your Mental Health

• Step away: Take breaks from social media when negativity becomes overwhelming.

• Support system: Talk to friends, mentors, or online groups about your experiences.

The Kenyan comment section can be a tough space, but with the right strategies, women and girls can maintain control, protect their mental health, and stay safe online. Remember: you don’t have to face online abuse alone, digital safety tools and support networks exist to help you.