Govt seeks to give children protection from cyber harm

As the use of information communication technologies and digital tools take centre stage in the learning environment, government officials are calling for more guidance and regulation of such tools among young people, to guard against any form of harm.
Mr Nyombi Thembo, the executive director of Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) acknowledged that unguided use of technology among young people exposes them to severe risks, including addiction, cyberbullying and inappropriate content.

“Our children or young people are now referred to as digital citizens as many interface with technologies from when they are toddlers. As infants they already know how to ask for data, before they learn to use a toilet properly,” he said, during the official launch of the Child Online Protection (COP) Campaign held at Kololo Senior Secondary School Kampala recently. 

“The very young ones no longer ask for dolls, toy cars but for a tablet because they are born in this kind of environment. Therefore, it is imperative and important that we make efforts to protect our young people.” 
Mr Nyombi explained that all governments are now making efforts to put in place safety nets to protect young people online, adding that Uganda will not be an exception.

He said, “Uganda is a young country and many children are active online. The internet gives them access to knowledge, education, entertainment and opportunities that the previous generation did not have. However, the same platforms are exposing our children to cyber bulling, harassment, blackmail, exploitation harmful content, misinformation, addiction and other forms of abuse. What happens online can have far-reaching consequences for line more so for children."
Commenting on the online Child Protection Campaign, Mr Nyombi called on all stakeholders to support the campaign, including the Uganda Police, UCC, telecommunication companies and technology developers, civil society, the children and parents.
He noted that the government has positioned ICT as a driver of Uganda's social economic transformation, arguing that the transformation at hand can only be sustained if the internet and digital platforms are trusted, safe and inclusive for both current and future generations.
This, he said, requires a strong culture of digital literacy and online safety among children, parents, teachers and communities to ensure proper use.
Available records indicate that young people spend an average of 4.8 to nearly 9 hours a day on digital media, entertainment, and social platforms, excluding time spent on schoolwork.
Ministry mandate
Dr Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, said government is committed to ensuring that children live in the digital space safely.

“We have taken this mandate with utmost seriousness, working with agencies under the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance. For many years, we have spoken about protecting children but our focus has been on issues of child labour, child trafficking, child abuse and other violations of children's rights. However, in this changing world, where over 76 to 80 percent participate in digital spaces, protecting children must also include protecting them online,” she said.

“When schools closed due to Covid-19, online platforms kept learning ongoing. However, amid these very good opportunities lies the cyber crimes. We want you to dream big, be the innovators, content creators and tech leaders of tomorrow but chase these dreams in a safe way,” she advised.

Mr Moses Mugeni, a teacher at Kololo SS said the school allows students to use phones and other digital gadgets during project work, except in specific circumstances.
“We don't allow students to come to school with phones, but if is time for integrating ICT into learning, the teacher uses his or her phone and projectors. Because of the changing trends in social media, we restrict access,” he said.