Parenting Styles and the Legal Protection of Children from Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Mainland Tanzania

This article examines the relationship between parenting styles and the legal protection of children from online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) in Mainland Tanzania. It asks whether the existing legal framework adequately recognises parental responsibilities for children’s digital safety, whether parents receive the assistance needed to fulfil those responsibilities, and what reforms are justified by the documentary evidence. The study uses doctrinal legal research and qualitative documentary analysis of legislation, subsidiary legislation, reported and selected unreported cases, international instruments, official statistics, institutional reports and academic literature. It does not involve original fieldwork. The analysis considers the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Law of the Child Act, the Cybercrimes Act as amended in 2024, relevant sexual offences legislation, online content regulations and Tanzania’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Published evidence, including Disrupting Harm in Tanzania, indicates that OCSEA affects a substantial number of internet-using children aged 12 to 17 and that disclosure and formal reporting remain limited. The documentary review finds that the 2024 amendments strengthened criminal provisions against offenders, while section 9(3) of the Law of the Child Act continues to express parental protection and guidance duties in general terms. The article argues that authoritative parenting is a useful framework for digital safety because it combines clear boundaries with communication and responsiveness. However, the reviewed evidence does not establish that any parenting style independently prevents OCSEA in Mainland Tanzania. The central legal concern is whether parental duties are matched by practical guidance, State assistance and effective institutional responses. The article recommends immediate clarification of existing duties and referral arrangements, caregiver and school training, and targeted legislative review where a demonstrable gap remains.