By: Sangai P. Moliwulo, Technical Analyst, LTA
The internet comes with a lot of benefits however it also has its downside ◦ Children need to be guided online ◦ Parents have responsibility and so are teachers and guardians ◦ Government must put in place the safe environment for child safety online ◦ Polices, Strategies, Programs, Laws, Regulations also matter
Children are known to be subjects of various types of abuses and are often voiceless about abuses they experience. No Specific Law exists to address child Online Protection Liberia Draft cybersecurity Act identifies child online Safety as a national security priority The Draft National Cybersecurity Strategy also devotes a sub section on child online security and protection Ministry of Gender and Social Development in Collaboration with Ministry of Posts and other Stakeholders has designated “116” as a dedicated number for activists and other concerned to use in reporting threat to child, be it physical or Online . ◦
On-going Actions, Activities and Programs There is concerted effort across Government, civil society and religious communities to make child online security a priority. The efforts seek to: Establish a Children Emergency Number (CEN) as a vital instrument in responding and preventing child online abuse. Provide several point of contacts for children facing abuse or other forms of online threats. Reduce harmful online influences that could corrupt the upbringing of a child
Child Online Safety is a new terrain in Liberia Children are vulnerable to online threats that take one or all of the following forms: ◦ Watching Violent scene and growing to adopt it as a way of life ◦ Watching phonography ◦ Luring them to being raped Kinds of Abuses ◦ Learning about Prostitution Violence ◦ Others Trafficking Rape Molestation Prostitution Other
It is imperative that parties with interest in issues relating to children combine resources to eradicate abuses and violence against children in Liberia. Under the cal Under the call to acti to action, the fo , the followi llowing activities shall g activities shall be be implemented: implemented: ◦ Adopting the national children Adopting the national children emergency helpline as a strategic national objective ◦ Encouraging and institutionalizing Encouraging and institutionalizing a cross-sector cooperation to support systems and services that protect children from abuse ◦ Deploying and leveraging the neces Deploying and leveraging the necessary ry infrastructure and technology in support of child Online safety ◦ Establishing and c tablishing and coordinating oordinating groups to follow up on all programs in support of child online safety
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