20 May 2009 - World News

THOUGH the advent of the internet has been hailed for providing all desirable information just at the snap of the finger, but for children, the use of this innovation comes with many ramifications.

SPTC Managing Director E. Nathi Dlamini believes that though "cyberspace is the nursery for young minds to grow and expand their perspective as it is the cornucopia of all that is good and wonderful world of learning and entertainment", but parents and educators should make joint efforts aimed at ensuring that children are protected from any cyberspace manipulation.

Speaking in a press conference yesterday during the world telecommunication and information day, Dlamini acknowledged that whilst cyberspace was a desirable invention in communities, but there are serious challenges that have to be dealt with.

He said the big question being asked today was who should be taking the responsibility to protect children from cyberspace crime and pollution.
“Some would say it is the regulator who has to monitor content providers, whilst others would point to parents and even government”.

Dlamini has affirmed that every citizen should take responsibility, adding that there needs to be a robust debate on this issue.

Approach
“We need to adopt a common approach as a Swazi nation, on how we collectively address the problem before it gets out of hand”.

He said observed that as children venture into the wide open world of cyberspace, surfing the internet, accessing video libraries, entering chat rooms and building social networks, but still, they are exposed to undesirable elements of society.

He registered his concern with that three in four children are willing to share personal information about themselves and their family online, in exchange of goods and services.

“One in five of these children is targeted by a pedophile each year. These are just global statistics, which point to an emerging problem which we, as a country, have not begun to appreciate”.

Making his remarks, he said cyberspace is a necessary personal and commercial innovation of our time, an engine room for economies to function and thrive.

He emphasized the need for all citizens, parents and educators to begin to be vigilant everywhere, until an effective and sustainable solution could be found.