9th Feb 2022, Kathmandu
With the slogan, “Together for a Better Internet”, the Safer Internet Day 2022 is being organized in Nepal and in more than 170 countries on 8 February 2020.
The Safer Internet Day is celebrated in February each year to promote the safer and positive use of digital technology for children and young people and to inspire a national conversation.
ChildSafeNet, a specialized organization working to protect children and young people online is the coordinator and promoter of the Safer Internet Day in Nepal.
“In this digital age, the information and communication technology sector are advancing tremendously.
Along with the fast progress, this revolution brings with it, numerous adversities and dangers.”, says Anil Raghuvanshi, Founder/President of ChildSafeNet.
As children and young people are heavy users of technology, unsafe use of the internet exposes them to serious harms, such as online sexual abuse & exploitation, cyberbullying, cyber grooming, phishing, and sextortion.
Raghuvanshi added, “Children, young people, parents, teachers, and governments need to take cyber safety seriously and fulfill their responsibilities in making the internet a safer place”.
There has been a tremendous increase in online child sexual abuse and exploitation, globally, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the US-based organization, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, in 2019, there were 63,266 CyberTiplne reports (suspected reports of online child sexual exploitation imagery) from Nepal. In 2020, it increased to almost three-fold, reaching a record number of 178,371.
Moreover, according to a ChildSafeNet study during the COVID-19 lockdown, one in five girls or young women and one in ten boys or young men in Nepal experienced online sexual abuse.
Although the Safer Internet Day 2022 is on 8 February, activities will be conducted throughout the year.
ChildSafeNet has been conducting online safety awareness sessions in different parts of the country.
Likewise, ChildSafeNet and its partner organizations Veda Creation Society, Love Green Nepal, Home Net Nepal, Plan International Nepal, Child Development Society, World Vision International Nepal, Digital Broadcast Initiative Equal Access, and Kathmandu District Child Club Network, will continue to conduct online safety awareness activities, including online and offline events, radio and TV programs, children and young people’s interactions, essay competitions, screening of videos and quiz contests.
Besides organizations working on children’s issues, including CWIN Nepal, Umbrella Organisation, Voice of Children, and WYESHR will conduct online safety awareness programs in their respective program areas.