GAUTENG SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT MARKS FIRST ONLINE SAFETY DAY

By Madali Chibambu

• First-ever Online Safety Day commemoration: GDSD hosted its inaugural webinar aligned with global Safer Internet Day to strengthen child protection in digital environments.
• Focus on respectful digital relationships: The session emphasised boundaries, consent, empathy and accountability as key tools for preventing online harm.
• Multi-sector collaboration highlighted: Experts stressed that safeguarding children online requires shared responsibility across families, government, education and civil society.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD), in partnership with the Bureau of Market Research (BMR) at the University of South Africa (UNISA), has for the first time commemorated Online Safety Day through a dedicated webinar aimed at strengthening child protection in digital spaces.
Hosted by the Department’s Child Care and Protection unit, the webinar, themed “Respect in Online Relationships”, brought together departmental officials, Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC) representatives, external partners and international stakeholders. The session focused on promoting digital respect, empathy and accountability among children and young people who engage on online platforms.
Event coordinator Sandra Madella, from School Social Work, said the webinar reflects the Department’s growing commitment to addressing online risks facing children.
“Online Safety Day, also known internationally as Safer Internet Day, is observed globally each year. However, this is the first time the Gauteng Department of Social Development has hosted a commemoration of this nature, to promote safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology, particularly among children and young people,” said Madella.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr Antoinette Basson, a registered psychologist with over 20 years of applied research experience in the social sciences. Dr Basson serves as Research Director at the Bureau of Market Research at UNISA, where she leads psychosocial research focused on child protection, youth development and behavioural science-informed policy.
Addressing participants, Dr Basson highlighted both the opportunities and risks presented by the digital world.
“The internet offers valuable opportunities for learning, connection and creativity. However, it also presents serious risks, including cyberbullying, online exploitation, harmful content and violations of privacy and dignity,” she said.
She emphasised that safeguarding children online requires collective action.
“Online safety is not the responsibility of children alone. It is a shared responsibility involving parents, caregivers, educators, government, civil society, law enforcement and the private sector, working together to create a safer and more respectful online environment.”
Reflecting on the 2026 theme, Dr Basson reminded participants that online interactions carry real-life consequences.
“Online relationships are real relationships with real consequences. Digital anonymity and distance can reduce empathy and accountability, making respectful behaviour more challenging, but even more important.”
By focusing the conversation on respect, the webinar reiterated key values such as boundaries, consent, empathy and dignity in digital spaces. For children, understanding these principles builds confidence and protection; for adults, it strengthens their role in guiding, modelling positive behaviour and responding appropriately when harm occurs.