Parents urged to monitor children’s use of internet

Information and Communications Technology Minister Timothy Masiu has urged parents to monitor their children’s use of the internet.
To mark Safe Internet Day yesterday, Masiu released a parents’ guide to being cyber smart to ensure the internet was used safely starting at home.
The guide is intended to provide advice to parents of children of all ages as part of engaging families on the importance of online safety.
“I want to remind all of us, especially parents, that online safety starts at home,” he said.
“Online safety is about child upbringing and nurturing communication skills rather than the technology itself.
“Children now have easy access to the unfiltered contents on internet through mobile phones, tablets, and computers.
“Without proper guidance, our children are vulnerable to unsafe content and people.”
Masiu called on churches, social organsiations and sporting associations to also take responsibility in protecting children and youth from undesirable content on the internet.
“I include all authorities within our communities because we are all responsible for the upbringing and education of our children,” he said.
“I also call on the PNG Safer Internet Committee to do more awareness and diligently engage with the community on the safe use of internet particularly for our children.”
He said as the internet became more accessible and affordable, issues pertaining to cyber safety, cyber security, and cybercrime had emerged and required immediate policy and operational intervention to ensure the safety of all citizens, their personal data and the data stored and collected by the Government.