This year, the theme selected by ITU ‘Protecting Children in Cyberspace’ is to achieve the goal of safeguarding children from harmful internet content. ‘This year’s theme is more relevant for us keeping in view of our social and cultural values.
Our children represent the future and need special attention, being the most vulnerable members of our society. While internet exploration opens a world of possibilities for them, expanding their horizon and exposing them to different cultures and ways of life, at the same time they can be subjected to dangers, as they hit the information highway.
Parents, teachers and close associates of children should apprise them of the pros and cons of venturing in cyberspace. Public-Private stakeholders must join hands to leverage the opportunities and mitigate the threats, using all means, including the massive awareness campaigns especially by NGOs and telecom operators and vendors under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Further, law enforcement agencies have to be more vigilant, having close interaction with stakeholders globally in protecting the children in virtual world of cyberspace. Joint efforts in this regard will yield better results for the benefits of the young generation. Efforts would be further strengthened with the backing of international community, particularly the assistance and guidance of multilateral agencies like ITU in shaping policies to protect children in cyberspace.
