Pacific Island govt reps join digital citizenship advisory group

GOVERNMENT representatives from Kiribati, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have joined the Pacific Islands Digital Citizenship and Safety Advisory Group, a digital literacy initiative first convened by Facebook and Save the Children in July 2020.
The new government representatives join Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga member countries, alongside youth, academic and non-government organisation representatives from the region.
The advisory group met virtually last Tuesday to welcome the new countries, and to launch the official “I Am Digital” website.
They also reflected on the impact and lessons learned from this initiative and discussed opportunities for its future expansion. “I Am Digital” is an online safety campaign delivered in English and local languages which began as a pilot in February.
Delivered over five weeks earlier this year, the campaign is designed to empower Pacific island teenagers and young people to have safer and more positive online experiences.
The advisory group shares knowledge and experience to help inform and shape the direction of future digital citizenship and safety initiatives specifically developed for Pacific island communities.
Save the Children Fiji chief executive officer Shairana Ali said when the campaign was launched, the initial reaction from the general public was positive.
She said many parents and children reached out directly to Save the Children Fiji and thanked them for the campaign because it had helped families understand the importance of safer online practices.
Save the Children PNG deputy country director Rosario Sam said digital transformation was fast becoming the culture of today’s youth with everyday social media, smart phones and internet.