Child Online Safety, Protection and Reporting of Abuse COSPRA 2022 Presummit Webinar I: Digital Literacy
The COSPRA 2022 Presummit with theme: “Child Online Safety, Protection and Reporting of Abuse in Nigeria” which held as a zoom virtual event commenced at 2:00pm on November 22, 2022. The Webinar attracted participants from various industries from the 6 geo-political regions of the country and was focused on driving profitable and progressive conversations around child online safety and protection; covering the possible relationship between the Digital Literacy of the Nigerian child and their safety online. The moderator gave a brief introduction of the theme- posing issues such as how sustainable, penetrative & quality Digital Literacy programs for Nigerian children across all levels including the grassroots communities can be ensured. The webinar session revolved around Digital Literacy conversations and allowed for a round table discussion between all panelists. Webinar Session: Child Online Safety, Protection and Reporting of Abuse in Nigeria Moderator:- Rotimi Olawale – Executive Director/Co-founder, YouthhubAfrica, represented by Halima Sarki – Program Assistant, YouthhubAfrica.
- Arinola Akinyemi – Chief Executive Officer, DigiSphere Limited
- Bashir Yusuf – Chief Executive Officer, Etijar.
- Khadijah El-Usman – Program Officer, Anglophone West Africa, Paradigm Initiative.
- Igonor Oshoke – Program Manager, Nigeria Internet Governance Forum
- There should be no dichotomy between Digital Literacy and Conventional educational Literacy.
- There is no proper curriculum that establishes how to go about Digital Literacy in schools.
- The issue of funding for integration of Digital Literacy Program into educational curriculum and implementation of Digital Literacy Programs.
- Affordable, Accessible and Available Internet in the country especially the rural areas.
- The presence of predators online and the technical controls to protecting children online.
- Initiatives taken by several NGOs and International Partners in improving child online safety.
- The synergy between Internet Services Providers and Civil Societies and the role of all stakeholders in Child Online Safety.
- Private and Public Investments in Digital Literacy and existing Public-Private Partnerships in Nigeria.
- The Digital Rights and Freedom Bill and the Child’s Right Act.
- Negligence of teachers and Trainers in Digital skills programs. This has led to many teachers or trainers lacking adequate skills to impact the children. The need for children to protect their privacy as any information that has been posted can may not be forgotten easily. The internet never forgets.
- There isn’t enough engagement of the Law (Litigation) in issues relating to Child Online Safety.
- It is the responsibility of the Government to spearhead funding for Digital Literacy and Child Online Safety programs; however, it is not the responsibility of the Government alone.
- All stakeholders need to work with the Government to help drive Digital Literacy Programs.
- Public-Private Partnerships are recommended to improve the infrastructure level of Nigeria.
- CSOs need to intensify campaigns and awareness programs against child abuse online.
- Digital literacy should be integrated into national basic curricula and made mandatory in all school and at all levels of Education.
- Work needs to be done to ensure accessibility, affordability and availability of the internet is of globally acceptable standards.
- Policies need to be properly implemented, reviewed and updated to keep up with the fast-paced development of technology.
- Parents have a very important role to play in Digital Literacy and this group should be especially targeted with programs and campaigns.
- The use of Litigation as a tool to pressure the Government, not necessarily to win, but to put enough media coverage on the proceedings which may cause positive social sparks.
- Children should be slowly eased into the online world by their parents and guardians.
- There is a need to train teachers and guardians on Digital Literacy Skills.
- Parents should leverage on existing technology to protect children and control what a child sees online.
- There is a need to have an open and honest discussion with children on appropriate behaviors online and the dangers the internet may pose to them.
- Knowledgeable Parents can offer services to schools to educate children and teachers on the need for Child Online Safety.
- Technical controls to protecting children online should be explored by all stakeholders and kids’ mode should be made mandatory for all devices.