Witin Sensitizes on Impact of Technology on Children

Women in Technology in Nigeria (Witin), an information technology group, with grassroot reach, has concluded plans to organize a day forum that will put parents, guardians and others on the alert about technology.
 

This is to curb the growing negative trends coming from the adoption and use of technology, especially by the children.


The international forum, which comes up in Lagos on October 4, would among others exposed the risk factors and vulnerabilities connected with children's use of the Internet.


Martha Alade-Omoekpen, president of Witin, said the world today is shaped by the advancements in the field of ICT, its relevance to the development of individuals, organisations, nations and the entire world cannot be contested.


Alade-Omoekpen added that ICT has frequently been incontrovertibly acknowledged to be the driving force behind today’s economy while playing a key role in the recent extraordinary economic and human development.


According to her, the use of ICT innovations by children in the new world of freedom for empowerment has in different ways influenced and to a certain degree also changed roles and processes within child development.


The Witin president was quick to say that, despite the noble objectives ICT is known with, it has its negative sides.


As such, she said these negative sides would come to fore at the forum, which would have in attendance speakers from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).


She said the conference with the theme; "ICT and Child Development:Benefits and Challenges”, is expected to have in attendance Omobola Johnson, minister of Communications Technology and  Dr. Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission.


Other expected dignitaries expected at the event are Arc. Mike Onolememen, minister of works and Dr. Sam Amadi, chief executive officer of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission.


Alade-Omoekpen stressed that Witin was looking at having close to 350 participants, including, proprietors of schools; parents, civil societies, media and the international community.


Core objectives of the conference, according to her include; helping stakeholders, especially parents, guardians and teachers discover the potential and impact of technology on a child's development; provide a forum where stakeholders can proffer their fair perspective solutions to issues relating to the adverse effects of children's use of internet;  advance strategies to checkmate child online abuse; to understand regulatory framework regarding children's use of the internet and mobile technologies among others.


Some possible topics penciled down for discussion include; role of mothers in children use of ICT; mobile phones usefulness, risks and myths; bridging the gender digital divide: girls in ICT (To be taken by ITU representative); ICT for improved healthcare of children.