Kathmandu , February 9. The 19th Global Safer Internet Day was marked in Nepal with the slogan ‘Together for better Internet’. On the occasion, Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) and Creative Society Nepal on Tuesday hosted a workshop ‘Digital Divide and Children Online Safety” in collaboration with Net for Good Alliance and coordination with National Child Rights Council.

Representatives from different ministries, agencies and civil society organizations pitching for internet right stressed the need for the guardians and concerned side to be cautious and responsible about possible security threats to children from internet use/abuse also keeping in mind the inevitability of the use of information and communications technology in the present day world. The speakers also recommended to amend the concerned laws and policies being cognizant of emerging dimensions and also lay emphasis on effective implementation of the existing laws and policies.

At the programme, joint secretary of Ministry of Communications and Information Technology shared that the government was implementing the ‘Digital Nepal Framework’ and would bring reforms in cyber security policy and law to check increasing child rights violation on the internet. NTA Chairperson Puruswottam Khanal said the family and guardians are the key to overcome internet security challenges among children while underlining the need for public awareness campaign.

On the occasion, Kathmandu University Dean Prof Dr Manish Pokharel had delivered a presentation on ‘Digital Divide and Online Child Safety’. Likewise, Associate Professor of Kathmandu School of Law Kapill Aryal presented about legal status of internet security and current situation and Sagar Bhandari of CWIN gave a presentation on the issues of online child security and the role of social organizations. Coordinator of Net for Good Alliance Nawaraj Dahal said public sensitization programme on cyber security and child rights would be expanded at province and district levels. The hosts have also solicited applications from children of 12-18 age group for province-level video competition on different six themes related to child rights. (RSS)