24th October 2016 The Deputy Prime Minister Hon Siaosi Sovaleni officially opened the 3 rd National Cyber Safety Week and launched Tonga’s stopthinkconnect website this morning at Fa’onelua Convention Centre. The event also marked the 71st service of the United Nations to the world.
Hon. Sovaleni told the gathering that the website was part of the government’s alliance with the spotconnectthink international initiative to help address the problems of misusing computers and internet.
“In searching for initiatives to help Tonga in our efforts to address the growing problems we are facing with the misuse of computers and internet the government formed an alliance with the StopConnectThink international initiative,” he said.
“The campaign encourages users to practice safe online habits and to help people understand not only the risks that come with using the Internet but also the importance of safe online behavior.”
He explained that the stopthinkconnect website was an international campaign to keep the web safer for everyone.
“The campaign was launched in October of 2010 by the Stop. Think. Connect. Messaging Convention in partnership with the U.S Government, including the White House. The Department of Homeland Security is leadings the US federal engagement in the campaign.”
Hon Sovaleni emphasized that computers and the internet were just a tool, but users’ need to know how to use it appropriately.
“Computers and the internet is just a tool. We need to know how to use it properly, as but it can be used for harmful and illegal purposes,” he added.
“We should have sessions to raise awareness about the misuse of computers and internet, what are the problems, online fraud, phishing, ID theft etc. We should discuss strategies and ways, technical and non-technical, to reduce your vulnerability, and you would have an opportunity to discuss with experts about any issues that you have encountered include mental health and so forth etc.”
Hon. Sovaleni further added, “We can address these challenges by working together as this is not just a government problem, or the churches problems, it’s everybody’s problem. As you can see from the programme for this week, we will have people from churches, private sectors, government and schools who are willing to do what they can to help reduce the risks, help raise awareness, to what they can to help make our children safer provide a safer cyber environment for our children.”
UNICEF Resident Representative for the Pacific Mr Shelton Yett applauded the Government of Tonga for successfully launching the stopthinkconnect website.
Mr Yett also thanked the government for their on-going support of the agency’s work by providing an office space and vehicle. He also commended Tonga being the first country in the Pacific that has integrated the Sustainable Development Goals in the Tonga Strategic Development Framework.
The Director of Information, under the Ministry of MEIDECC, Mr Andrew To’imoana said, “Today October 24th, we joint hands with the rest of the world in celebrating the anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Organisation as well as the launching of Tonga’s stop think connect official website, as a result of the Tonga National CERT close collaboration with the anti-phishing working group.”
According to Mr To’imoana, the Cyber Safety Week was planned to set a common platform for stakeholders to discuss and address the cyber related challenges in Tonga.
Present at the launching and the opening program were representatives from churches, youth leaders, line ministries, NGOs, Schools and private sectors
ENDS
Issued by the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications