Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube
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The Zimbabwean government is in the process of developing a comprehensive Child Online Safety Policy, which is expected to be finalized by the first quarter of 2025.
This initiative aims to create a safe online environment for children and adolescents, addressing critical issues such as cyberbullying, online grooming, exposure to harmful content, and data privacy violations.
Dr. Beaullah Chirume, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, announced that a public consultation process is underway to gather insights from various stakeholders regarding the proposed policy.
“We want to take on board young people who have very sharp minds who can actually develop applications for us and innovate new and better ways of doing things using ICTs,” Dr. Chirume stated.
“We are not leaving anyone behind, even women in rural areas and people living with disabilities; we want them to be included.”
The focus on child online safety comes as Zimbabwe increases its deployment of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in primary and secondary schools, as well as universities.
“As people have more access to ICTs, our children are protected and can use these technologies for good,” Dr. Chirume emphasized.
Zimbabwe has made significant strides in child protection, including the recent adoption of legislation aimed at criminalizing child sexual exploitation, facilitating birth registration, and implementing a child-friendly justice system.
The introduction of the Child Online Safety Policy is seen as a crucial step in further enhancing the protection of children in the digital landscape.
With the consultation process ongoing, the government is keen to ensure that the policy reflects the needs and concerns of all stakeholders, paving the way for a safer online experience for Zimbabwe’s youth.
Zim GBC News