Respecting and Protecting Children Online
If you believe children are the future, do you respect them, do you celebrate them, do you give them a sense that they are the future? In particular is there online respect for children? Does online abuse and porn respect children? Is that the future we want for our children?
It’s amazing but statistics from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) indicate that over 75% of children online are willing to share personal and sensitive information about themselves and their family. The Internet has become an essential tool that children and young people need to use for growth and development. But where is the respect when this same ICT driven environment has become a source of concern and abuse.
African Children Cyber Safety Initiative (ACCSI) a program of the African Information Security Association (AISA) advocates the promotion of “Protection Children and Young People Online” activities in schools, educational institutions and public spaces. True celebration of children requires the adoption of policies and strategies that will protect children in cyberspace and promote their safe access to online resources.
AISA forums have been recognized by International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as one of the Worldwide Initiatives organized to mark yearly World Telecommunications and Information Society Days (WTISDs) and as a Child Online Protection initiative.
AISA is a member organization created to promote Information security in Africa. Members get involved through events, web content, campaigns against Cybercrime and activities that support the development of secure information environments in Africa. It focuses on the promotion of awareness, continuous professional development, policies and linkages/networks for information security development in Africa.
Though AISA secretariat is presently in Lagos, Nigeria AISA members in different parts of Africa and across the world, are encouraged to carry out similar initiatives and report back to AISA.
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN – We look forward to collaborating with you to protect children and young people in cyberspace.
Areas of interest include Risks and vulnerabilities to children in cyberspace; Raising awareness within stakeholders; Identifying and developing preventive measures and practical tools to reduce threats and minimize risk; Sharing of best practices, knowledge and experience.
The children are our future. What future?
Children need to use computers and the Internet to live rich, full fulfilling lives. But the networked world hosts the “sickos” and the “crazies”. A future of pornography or one of social and economic prosperity? How secure is that future? How vulnerable is that future? Is cyberspace safe and secure for future generations? The need for safe computing, online practices have never been greater.
ACCSI is demanding answers: Who are the stakeholders in Child Online Protection? What are roles of different stakeholders and existing initiatives? How practical are existing “Online Children protection” strategies? Let’s be honest, we need to address the growing threats to children and young people as they browse the Internet and access information online.
Join ACCSI in Shaping the future of Information Security in Africa! Get involved in the protection of children and young people online!
Read the 2010 African Children Cyber Safety Forum Report
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