Protecting Children from Online Abuse

The Internet is a powerful tool children can use to learn and connect with friends.
But, it is also fraught with danger, about which stakeholders in Nigeria have called for concerted effort to protect the Nigerian child.
Several reports indicated that one in five children aged 10 to 17 has been sexually solicited on the Internet.
Predators use deception to lure unsuspecting children into their web and hide behind a cloak of anonymity.
A child may believe he or she is chatting with a fellow sixth-grader, for example, when in fact, it is an adult pedophile posing as such lurking in cyberspace.
The most common means by which sexual predators contact children over the Internet is through chat rooms, instant messages and email.
Together, we can make help protect children from online dangers and ensure children have a safe and rewarding experience online.
That is why we welcome the recent stakeholders’ consultative forum on child online protection organized by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Dr. Bashir Gwandu, acting, executive vice chairman, NCC, said that children are among the most active and vulnerable participants online.
He explained that new types of risks in cyberspace are growing with the emergence of new devices, such as mobile internet access, peer to peer file sharing, instant messaging, chat rooms, multi-player interactive games and web cameras.
Gwandu, said some of these challenges according to ITU include children being exposed to pornography, violence, online gaming and addiction, online fraud, cyber bullying, racism among others.
Child Online Protection (COP) according to him aims to tackle cyber security holistically addressing legal technical organizational and procedural issues as well as capacity building and international cooperation.
The COP, he said, was designed amongst others to identify risks and vulnerabilities to children in cyber space, create awareness, develop practical tools to help minimize risks, share knowledge and experience.
Parents on the other hand should also keep the computer in a central and open location in the home and be aware of other computers their children may be using.
They should also discuss and set guidelines/rules for computer use with children and frequently remind children of the guidelines and be vigilant in enforcing them.