DEPARTMENT STRENGTHENS CAPACITY ON ONLINE SAFETY OF CHILDREN

By Sibongile Mofokeng.

• The Gauteng Department of Social Development, in partnership with the Films and Publication Board (FPB), hosted a capacity-building session to enhance the ability of Social Service Professionals to protect children online.
• ⁠The training focused on equipping frontline practitioners with practical tools and knowledge to safeguard children in an increasingly digital environment.
• Participants discussed issues such as cyberbullying, online grooming, sexual exploitation and reporting mechanisms for harmful online content.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development, in collaboration with the Films and Publication Board, hosted a capacity-building session aimed at strengthening the skills of Social Service Professionals and Allied Health Practitioners to protect children in the digital world. The session, held online on the 13th of November, brought together practitioners from across the province to deepen their understanding of the risks facing children online and the strategies needed to respond effectively.
The initiative focused on equipping professionals with practical tools to promote online child protection and support families as they navigate emerging digital challenges. Participants engaged in discussions on cyberbullying, online grooming, sexual exploitation and best practices for monitoring and reporting harmful online content. The session also underscored the vital role of collaboration between professionals, caregivers and families in promoting safe and responsible digital behaviour.
Speaking during the session, Ms Mmaletjema Poto, a Child Protection Officer at the Films and Publication Board, highlighted the importance of ongoing learning and coordinated action. “Protecting children in the digital space requires continuous learning, innovation and collaboration. We must use every available tool to enhance child online protection and ensure that our children can explore technology safely,” she said.
Ms Poto shared a range of practical tips that professionals and caregivers can use to strengthen the online safety of children. These included maintaining open communication about online experiences, encouraging awareness of privacy and personal information, using parental controls to monitor activity, reporting suspicious behaviour, and modelling positive digital conduct grounded in kindness and respect.
The session provided a platform for practitioners to reflect on real-life challenges in the digital environment and to explore new approaches for identifying and addressing risks. Through such initiatives, the department continues to build the capacity of frontline professionals to safeguard children both online and offline.
By empowering practitioners with knowledge and practical strategies, the Department of Social Development reaffirms its commitment to protecting every child’s right to safety, dignity and protection in an increasingly digital age.