Safaricom has been contemplating the idea of mobile numbers for juniors for a while, and the idea is seemingly taking shape.
During the company’s half-year results announcements last Friday, the company confirmed that kids will have their own numbers, but under the accounts of their parents.
“Going forward the junior will be able to have their own number but under the parent account and that convert to the junior automatically when they turn 18 rather than having that problematic element that used to happen before.” Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said.
Ndegwa said that the special sim cards will have features protecting juniors from accessing services such as betting and others. “We have simplified the menu that the junior account will have so that they are not able to access certain services like betting,” said the CEO,
“That has received very strong support from the regulator because it is about parental control of what juniors do rather than using an adult account.”
Safaricom has been a trailblazer in the industry, frequently introducing novice ideas that have been well-received by consumers. With the right measures in place, the sim cards for juniors is likely to quickly onboard several users.
The telco also announced that it will soon be launching new products and services in the second half of the financial year. This includes the M-PESA Go product that allows minors to buy goods and services, pay bills and even buy airtime/data on M-PESA at the supervision of their parents/guardians.
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