Children and young people could be at a higher risk of internet addiction, gaming addiction and exposure to adult contents, according to a survey.
They could also be at a higher risk of online sexual abuse and exploitation, the ‘Survey on Changed Online Behaviour During Covid-19 Lock down in Nepal,’ conducted by ChildSafeNet reads.
Although the government banned pornographic sites in Nepal, more than 41 per cent respondents, including children and young people said they had visited such sites, the survey result reads, recommending addressing issues like this. “Detailed and thematic researches are required to develop in-depth knowledgebase to address the issue of online safety of children and young people during and after the lock down period.”
They surf youtube most of the time and facebook seconds the most searched sites, according to the survey that has also recommended conducting cyber safety awareness sessions for children, young people and parents through online and virtual awareness activities through social media and video conferencing sessions. “Video conferencing workshops on 'Parenting in the Digital Age' can help to equip parents with knowledge and skills to keep children and young people safe online,” it recommends, adding that the workshops will help to provide guidance to parents on reducing their own screen time, learn about cyber safety and lead by example to protect children and young people from online harms. “Educate children, young people and parents on the positive use of the internet and provide them information on sites and apps suitable for children.”
It also recommends to inform about useful and suitable sites according to their age and requirements. Asking to develop simple and easy cyber safety resources in Nepali and local languages for dissemination through online media, including, but not limited to social media, it has also suggested to operate a dedicated online helpline to provide tips, advice and support to people who experience online harms or at risk; refer to support services - police, psychologists, lawyers, social workers. “Strengthen law enforcement to report online abuses and make reporting accessible throughout the country.”
ChildSafeNet – a non-governmental organisation, established with a mission to make the digital technology safer for children and young people – also recommends advocating for more financial and technical resources from the government, ICT companies and other duty-bearers to make the internet safer for children, young people and everyone.
According to the president of ChildSafeNet Anil Raghuvanshi, the ‘Survey on Changed Online Behaviour During Covid-19 Lockdown in Nepal’, was conducted in all provinces of the country using online Google forms, distributed through social media platforms. The survey, self-administered by respondents started on April 17, 2020 till April 21, 2020. The survey was conducted with young children, young people and adults. Since the behaviour of adults may affect children in many ways, the survey also collected information on adults' online behaviour. “A total of 1,228 respondents – some 648 male, 576 and 4 other – had participated in the survey.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the government imposed a country-wide lockdown in Nepal from March 24, 2020. As a result, schools, colleges and offices are closed, and people are staying at home spending a longer time using internet, which has increased the risk of online abuse and exploitation, particularly to children and young people as child online groomers and online sex predators may contact them for abuse and exploitation.
According to Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), some 72.16 per cent people have access to broadband internet and 55.30 per cent use mobile broadband internet. Facebook is the most used social media platform in Nepal with 11 million active, it reads, adding that the number of Facebook users, particularly among young age groups declined globally and in Nepal. “However, the number of Facebook users increased by 600,000 from November 2019 to April 2020.”
They could also be at a higher risk of online sexual abuse and exploitation, the ‘Survey on Changed Online Behaviour During Covid-19 Lock down in Nepal,’ conducted by ChildSafeNet reads.
Although the government banned pornographic sites in Nepal, more than 41 per cent respondents, including children and young people said they had visited such sites, the survey result reads, recommending addressing issues like this. “Detailed and thematic researches are required to develop in-depth knowledgebase to address the issue of online safety of children and young people during and after the lock down period.”
They surf youtube most of the time and facebook seconds the most searched sites, according to the survey that has also recommended conducting cyber safety awareness sessions for children, young people and parents through online and virtual awareness activities through social media and video conferencing sessions. “Video conferencing workshops on 'Parenting in the Digital Age' can help to equip parents with knowledge and skills to keep children and young people safe online,” it recommends, adding that the workshops will help to provide guidance to parents on reducing their own screen time, learn about cyber safety and lead by example to protect children and young people from online harms. “Educate children, young people and parents on the positive use of the internet and provide them information on sites and apps suitable for children.”
It also recommends to inform about useful and suitable sites according to their age and requirements. Asking to develop simple and easy cyber safety resources in Nepali and local languages for dissemination through online media, including, but not limited to social media, it has also suggested to operate a dedicated online helpline to provide tips, advice and support to people who experience online harms or at risk; refer to support services - police, psychologists, lawyers, social workers. “Strengthen law enforcement to report online abuses and make reporting accessible throughout the country.”
ChildSafeNet – a non-governmental organisation, established with a mission to make the digital technology safer for children and young people – also recommends advocating for more financial and technical resources from the government, ICT companies and other duty-bearers to make the internet safer for children, young people and everyone.
According to the president of ChildSafeNet Anil Raghuvanshi, the ‘Survey on Changed Online Behaviour During Covid-19 Lockdown in Nepal’, was conducted in all provinces of the country using online Google forms, distributed through social media platforms. The survey, self-administered by respondents started on April 17, 2020 till April 21, 2020. The survey was conducted with young children, young people and adults. Since the behaviour of adults may affect children in many ways, the survey also collected information on adults' online behaviour. “A total of 1,228 respondents – some 648 male, 576 and 4 other – had participated in the survey.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the government imposed a country-wide lockdown in Nepal from March 24, 2020. As a result, schools, colleges and offices are closed, and people are staying at home spending a longer time using internet, which has increased the risk of online abuse and exploitation, particularly to children and young people as child online groomers and online sex predators may contact them for abuse and exploitation.
According to Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), some 72.16 per cent people have access to broadband internet and 55.30 per cent use mobile broadband internet. Facebook is the most used social media platform in Nepal with 11 million active, it reads, adding that the number of Facebook users, particularly among young age groups declined globally and in Nepal. “However, the number of Facebook users increased by 600,000 from November 2019 to April 2020.”
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