19th October, 2018 The life of our youth is increasingly connected more and more with the virtual world, cyberspace and online platforms, which makes awareness of cyber threats fundamental for our youth to use the internet wisely and safely.
In continuation from the panel consultation on Tuesday, 16th October, 2018, the main focus of Wednesday the 17th October was on the Youth.
The Panelists were the Acting Deputy Police Commissioner, Ms Kalisi Tohifolau, representative from Christ’s University Tonga, Mr. Paula Latapu, Chairman of Tonga’s Youth Pilgrimage for Justice and Peace, Reverend Penisimani Tonga, representative from the Ministry of Education and Training, Ms. Pateli Vailea and Tonga’s Representative to the Commonwealth Youth Parliament, Ms. Elizabeth Kite.
Ms. Tohifolau said, “Youth should have definite competences to be able to manage their own safety on the internet as well as evaluate the sources and know how to introduce themselves on the internet or develop a responsible internet conversation.”
She said that along with the substantial opportunities the digital age brings, a diverse range of risk and harm is also present. Digital technologies have increased the scale of child sexual abuse and exploitation. They also need to be aware of and be able to manage the three ‘R’s ‘Respect, Responsibility and establishing online Reputation of individuals.’
“Child sex offenders have increased access to children through unprotected social media profiles and online gaming platforms. Technological advances have allowed individual offenders and transferring images to evade detection through encrypted platforms and the creation of false identities, and have enabled them to pursue multiple victims at the same time.”
Rev. Tonga stressed the need to pray for our youth and let them see the reality of faith and turning to the Lord in prayer when problems or hard times come.
“Be accountable. Be an example they can model behavior on. Parents are not perfect but if you do or say things you should not, admit that you were wrong and ask God’s help with decisions each day. Young people who lack digital skills, lives in remote areas, or speak a minority language are also being left behind in harnessing the opportunities that digital technologies can provide.”
Ms. Kite said this platform is very important putting youth as the first priority. This meeting will assist in addressing Tonga’s issues and ways to solve it by working together.
The panel consultations will conclude on Thursday the 18th October, 2018.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Climate Change & Communications.
