Need To Protect Children While They Are Online

NEWS COMMENTARY DRAWS ATTENTION TO THE NEED TO PROTECT CHILDREN WHILE THEY ARE ONLINE IN WAKE OF COVID-19

With the world experiencing rapid transformation driven by Information Communication Technology (ICT), the reality of accepting that ICT tools or technological devices are part of our daily lives cannot be glossed over. The COVID-19 pandemic has further heightened the increased relevance of ICT for socio-economic development of nations and communities. As government scales up connectivity as part of its digitization agenda, our exposure to cybercrime and cyber-attacks have increased making everyone susceptible. What is even more worrying is Children’s vulnerability to e-crimes. Who is watching the children while they are on line. Especially in this era where children are having classes and other engagements on line due to global restrictions in the wake of COVID-19.

It is in this light that the National Cyber Security Centre, through the Ministry of Communications is intensifying capacity building and creating awareness in a programme dubbed “Cyber-security in the Era of Covid-19”.  It is essential to note that in spite of the many opportunities that the internet offers such as for studies, research and social activities, the dangers and threats that it can pose means that many children are at risk of having their basic rights undermined. This is because they are exposed to online exploitation, abuse and violence. There is therefore a collective responsibility to ensure a safe digital environment for all, especially children. Let us encourage our children to adopt the SMART technique of ensuring safety online. This includes; not giving out personal information such as home address and phone number, avoid meeting people they just met online, and not accepting files, messages, pictures and friend request from strangers while surfing the web. Adults should also guard against money scams, especially mobile money fraudsters. Anonymous calls congratulating one for being the winner of a raffle draw must be received with caution. Similarly calls or text messages of mistakenly transferred money to mobile money accounts must be treated with skepticism. Parents and guardians should have an open conversation with their children about browsing on the internet from an early age to keep them safe. Children should be encouraged to close unused accounts since they can be a rich source of information to cyber criminals. Some children also create accounts with their first and last names on their birthdays in the ‘’user name’’. Hackers can tie in these bits of information and pick up information from other sites, and use it for their negative deeds. It is therefore advisably to use strong and protected passwords. Passwords are tougher to crack if they are at least eight characters long and contain at least one number, one small letter and one capital letter. Furthermore, adults should also guard against money scams. All anonymous calls must be regarded as possible opportunity for phishing information. When in doubt during such instances, it essential to cross check with the National Cyber Security Centre. It is envisaged that these measures among others will help check the increasing activities of cyber criminals. However, after all is said and done, it is the responsibility of all Ghanaians to ensure a safe digital environment for present and future generations.

By: NAA KORKOI ESSAH, HEAD PR, MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS.