Be Ready for Safer Internet Day (SID) 2021.
on Tuesday, 9 February 2021 – we will be millions across the globe celebrating Safer Internet Day 2021, joining forces “Together for a better internet”.
While we recognise that celebrations may look a little different this time around as we adapt to COVID-19 constraints, we hope that SID 2021 will still be a vibrant and engaging celebration, allowing us all to reflect on our increased use of digital technologies as a result of the pandemic.
The theme of 2021 Edition is Children Online Safety with focus on the fight against Online Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
CONTEXT
Many of the technologies that our societies have come to rely upon have also created vulnerabilities that paedophiles find all too easy to exploit –to trade illegal images, to discuss fantasies about abusing children, and even to find and target potential victims
It is an uncomfortable reality that while technology offers incredible possibilities to our societies, never before has it been easier for those who want to sexually exploit children to make contact with potential victims around the world, share images of their abuse and encourage each other to commit further crimes.
The sheer volume of child sexual abuse material online is almost inconceivable. Tens of thousands of victims of child sexual abuse depicted in this material are unidentified and may still be at risk. Evidence suggests that online child sexual exploitation is seriously harmful to victims, creating long lasting feelings of shame and powerlessness as they grow up.
Why is this topic important?
The amount of CSAM online is rising at a high pace worldwide. Law Enforcement and hotlines cannot stop this growth. Last year in Rwanda, we witnessed the rise of illicit content known as Ibishegu on social media: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram to mention a few and media houses both private and government are still playing some videos that are questionable by the public. This has created hot discussions in the community trying to find out what Ibishegu means in the context of Rwandan population.
To some the content can be published as long as it is available, to others it must be regulated by the government body. Though many have even gone beyond the problem by suggesting possible solutions the problem is still alive and it needs the attention of the whole community.
We are passionate about raising awareness on this matter and develop the capabilities needed within our community and pursue cooperation on a scale that has not been seen before, and in a way that can only be accomplished when people who truly care work together.
We believe that The technology industry, academia, policy makers, content creators and civil society organisations must now act together and make their own ambitious commitments to raise awareness, including to support this comprehensive approach, coordinate their efforts and harness the power of innovation to help protect children online. Together we can ensure a safe and happy future for children everywhere.
Key questions
- How are children and young people affected by an increasingly digital everyday life where friends, schoolwork, games and dance videos are mixed with manipulations, vulnerability and threats? What clouds of trouble do they experience themselves and how can we make children and young people aware so that they themselves can opt out of dangerous contexts?
- What are the impacts of CSAM to Children and a country?
- How can we contribute in the fight against online child Sexual abuse Material?
Mean while Keep an eye on our Twitter Account for update