PROTECTING SOUTH AFRICA’S CHILDREN IN THE DIGITAL AGE: A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH

By Precious Mupenzi

• South Africa is stepping up its efforts to protect children online.
• The Department of Social Development is leading the charge, implementing comprehensive strategies to counter the growing risks of cyberbullying, child sexual abuse material, and online sexual exploitation.
• These efforts include legislative measures, educational programs, and intersectoral collaborations.

Parents face significant challenges in ensuring their children’s online safety, primarily due to a lack of digital literacy. Many parents are unfamiliar with the applications (apps) their children use or the acronyms employed by online predators. For example, apps like Snapchat and platforms like Omegle pose risks that parents may not fully understand.

“Parents need to stay informed about the digital tools their children use and be proactive in their online engagement,” Dwarika advised. “This includes understanding the potential risks and knowing how to discuss these issues with their children.”

The Department of Social Development’s strategy for tackling online predators and cyberbullying involves a comprehensive intersectoral collaboration. This approach fosters partnerships between the department, tech companies, and law enforcement to address and respond to these pressing issues effectively. According to Dwarika, “the Coordinating Structure established aims to strengthen our collective response, support, education, and awareness efforts to protect children from online dangers.”

The department’s Child Care and Protection Forum, chaired by the DSD, plays a crucial role in ensuring that all entities working with children are committed to their safety and protection, regardless of the form of abuse or exploitation. Dwarika highlights a significant challenge: “Parents often struggle with digital literacy, which impedes their ability to recognize and understand online acronyms used by perpetrators, such as ‘1174’ for ‘Nude club’ or ‘GNOC’ for ‘Get Naked On Cam.’ These acronyms can complicate communication and increase the risk of exploitation.” By addressing these challenges and enhancing collaboration, the department aims to better equip parents and safeguard children in the digital age.

To assist parents in navigating the complexities of online safety, Dwarika recommends several practical strategies. First, keeping computers in open areas of the home facilitates better monitoring of children’s online activities. It is also important for parents to set clear rules and boundaries regarding online behaviour and usage. Additionally, staying informed about the websites children visit and their online communications is crucial. Encouraging open communication between parents and children about their online experiences and concerns further helps in addressing potential issues effectively.

Dwarika further elaborated on the importance of collaboration, adding that schools and community organizations play a crucial role in educating children about online safety. The DSD collaborates with the Department of Basic Education to integrate online safety education into school programs. This partnership ensures that educators are equipped to teach students about the risks and safe practices associated with online activities.

“The collaboration with the Department of Basic Education helps us ensure that online safety is part of the broader education curriculum,” Dwarika explained. “It’s vital that children understand how to navigate the digital world safely.”

The Department of Social Development is planning to significantly bolster its efforts to protect children online through several key initiatives. The first of these is strengthening awareness and education by expanding programs designed to keep up with the rapidly evolving online risks. Additionally, the department is committed to enhancing collaboration by continuing to build and strengthen partnerships with government agencies, civil society organizations, and the tech industry to address online safety challenges effectively. Lastly, the department will focus on ongoing training, ensuring that social service practitioners receive updated instruction to tackle emerging online threats.

“Our mission is to create a safer digital environment for all children. Through legislation, education, and collaboration, we are committed to protecting our children and empowering parents to be proactive in safeguarding their online experiences,” Dwarika concluded.