21st December 2024, Kathmandu
A high-level dialogue on child online protection organized by UNICEF, in partnership with ChildSafeNet, brought together key stakeholders to address the challenges children face in Nepal’s rapidly evolving digital landscape today.
Child Online Protection in Nepal
The event titled “A Safer Digital World: Navigating Risks, Safeguarding Children” also sought to foster collaborations and identify actionable strategies to ensure children’s safety online.
As internet access surges in Nepal, children increasingly use digital platforms for education, entertainment, and social interaction. While this opens new opportunities, it also exposes children to serious risks, including online child sexual abuse, cyberbullying, identity theft, and other forms of digital harm. Weak enforcement mechanisms and a general lack of awareness regarding online safety compound these threats.
Speaking at the event, Honorable Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens Mr Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi emphasized the government’s role in child online protection. “Nepal is committed to securing the digital space for our children through policy reforms, enforcement mechanisms, education campaigns, and victim support services. The government will prioritize actions to address online risks. By strengthening laws, building capacity through training and education, and enhancing transnational cooperation, we aim to create a digital environment where every child feels safe, valued, and free from harm, “Honorable Minister Sudi said.
Ms Jee Hyun Rah, UNICEF Nepal Representative a.i., underscored the importance of protecting children in the digital age. “Urgent action is needed to address the risks of limited response mechanisms, weak law enforcement, and lack of awareness about safe internet use. We must unite – government, development partners, private sector, and civil society – to create a safer, more inclusive digital environment for our children,” Ms Rah said.
To address these critical issues, UNICEF and ChildSafeNet developed a situation paper titled “Nepal’s Digital Generation: Challenges and Solutions for Child Online Protection.” Based on an extensive desk review of over 160 documents and expert consultations, this paper offers key recommendations for protecting children online and fostering a safer digital environment. The findings highlight the significant and growing impact of the internet on our lives, with a notable increase in usage in Nepal.
According to the findings, many children and young people are using the internet, often engaging in risky behaviors, which increases their exposure to online abuse and exploitation. While increased connectivity offers benefits, it also brings risks that require urgent attention. Nepal currently lacks the necessary resources and infrastructure to combat cybercrimes against children and young people effectively.
Key findings from another report from UNICEF and ChildSafeNet, titled, “Exploring the impacts of generative AI (artificial intelligence) on child online protection in Nepal,” reveal a high level of awareness about Generative AI among respondents, with 78.7 percent familiar with it, though 32.6 percent remain unaware. There is a gender disparity in usage, with fewer women using Generative AI. ChatGPT is the most popular tool, used by 65.64 percent of the respondents. Generative AI is mainly used for education (82 percent) and entertainment. However, it poses risks to children’s safety and well-being, including impacts on creativity, exposure to harmful content, and cyberbullying.
A panel discussion focusing on the risks, opportunities, and way forward on child online safety, moderated by young changemaker Mr Abinay Chauhan, was also conducted at the event with distinguished experts including Ms. Indira Devi Dhakal from the National Child Rights Council, Mr. Anil Raghuvanshi from ChildSafeNet, and Ms. Yasmine Bhattarai from Ncell.
Mr Anil Raghuvanshi, Founder and President, ChildSafeNet said, “Every child who uses the internet is vulnerable to online sexual abuse and exploitation, cyberbullying, and hate speech. Governments and technology companies must substantially increase budgetary allocations to safeguard children in the digital age.”
For more: Child Online Protection in Nepal