The Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Chamber, John Omo, is advocating for stronger legislation to protect vulnerable children across Africa in their use of the internet.
Speaking at the African Child Online Forum on April 30, he highlighted the growing risks children face in the digital space and stressed the urgent need for clear, enforceable laws to ensure their safety.
According to him, while digital access continues to expand across the continent, there is an urgent need for clear and enforceable laws to safeguard children from online risks such as exploitation, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content.
Mr. Omo stressed that without proper legal frameworks, efforts to promote digital inclusion may leave children exposed to significant dangers.
He is therefore urging governments to prioritise child online protection by developing and implementing policies that ensure safe and responsible internet use.
Effective legislation, combined with education and awareness, will play a critical role in empowering young people while keeping them safe in the digital space.
He took the opportunity to educate children on the dangers of interacting with strangers online, warning that such engagements could expose them to exploitation and other harmful situations.
He encouraged young internet users to be cautious, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspicious behaviour to trusted adults.
He noted that as internet access continues to expand across the continent, protecting children must remain a priority.
He called on governments, stakeholders, and parents to work together to create a safer digital environment for children.
According to him, combining effective legislation with education and awareness will help empower children while safeguarding them from online threats.
The Executive Director of African Child Online, Awo Aidam Amenya, stated that such sessions are essential in helping children understand what content is appropriate for their age and what should be avoided online.
She emphasized that children need to be guided to recognize that not everything they encounter on the internet is trustworthy or suitable, and cautioned against blindly accepting or imitating what they see in the digital space.
The Acting Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority, Alhassan Betintiche Ziblim, noted that such forums for children are necessary, as they help address and reduce their vulnerability by equipping them with essential knowledge and skills.
By Kingsley Adusei-Amakye
