During a two-day national conference held in Kathmandu, participants, including children, government agencies, the private sector, and development partners, highlighted the growing impact of social media on children’s exposure to violence.

The conference, which took place on Friday and Saturday, concluded with stakeholders emphasizing that social media has amplified the existing issues of child violence. Children actively participated in the discussions and presented written suggestions to Education Minister Vidya Bhattarai and Secretary of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, Dinesh Bhattarai. The children pointed out the lack of coordination between government agencies in reducing child marriage, child labour, and violence against children, particularly in light of the challenges introduced by social media.

The suggestions also called for greater involvement of children in programs addressing child-related issues and proposed measures to tackle cross-border child labour. The easy access of children to the internet was noted as a significant factor contributing to the rise in child violence.

In response, Education Minister Vidya Bhattarai expressed her commitment to implementing the suggestions, emphasizing the need to create a safe and student-friendly school environment. She mentioned that the ongoing review of the school curriculum would include topics related to child marriage and the growing influence of virtual relationships, reflecting the changing dynamics of child safety.

Children’s Secretary Dinesh Bhattarai echoed the minister’s sentiments, promising to incorporate the received suggestions into future programs. He stressed the importance of identifying problems and tailoring programs accordingly to address children’s issues.

The conference also featured an inter-ministerial panel discussion, where representatives from various ministries underscored the need for better coordination among the three levels of government and between ministries. They also recommended avoiding the use of products associated with child labour. As previously announced, Rinchan Chopin, Director General of Saibak, expressed confidence that Nepal would achieve its goal of eradicating child marriage by 2025.

The conclusions and recommendations from the conference are expected to play a significant role in shaping future policies and initiatives aimed at protecting children’s rights in Nepal.