ANTIC engages stakeholders to boost online child protection in Cameroon.

The state-run corporation escalated its advocacy for the protection of children online at a workshop on building a compliance and enforcement framework for the Charter on Child Online Protection in Cameroon.

The one-week workshop held in the capital city, Yaounde, brought together stakeholders including a representatives of security agencies. 

It was also attended by judicial and legal professionals, civil society actors, media practitioners, parents and teachers.

The gathering benefited from the expertise of the United States, US-based IGXTELLE Law Group.

As the world gradually becomes a global village, concerns are raised about the safety of children.

While the Internet has revolutionised the society, connecting people from all walks of life and providing countless opportunities for learning, growth and entertainment, it was also agreed at the Yaounde workshop that it brings with it risk, particularly for the vulnerable minds including children.

Speaking at the tail end of the workshop Wednesday, the Director General of ANTIC, Prof Ebot Ebot Enaw, charged stakeholders to do everything possible to protect the children from falling prey to internet predators.

He explained that Information and Communication Technologies, ICTs, particularly the internet, has emerged in recent years as an enabler of socio-economic development transforming and reshaping all sectors of public life bringing along benefits that span across, improved productivity, transparent management of public resources, job creation, increased revenue levels as well as limitless access to information and knowledge. 

The ANTIC boss continued that: “This is even more evident for children and youths, wherein the Internet allows pupils and students to access quality education and training, online gaming and social networking”.

He, however, regretted that beneath the said benefits, lurk a number of dangers and risks inherent in the use of the said technologies.

Amongst the risks, Prof Ebot Ebot cited cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, online predators, malware, phishing and scams, identity theft, internet addiction and exposure to harmful content and influences.

He cited a Pew Research study conducted in 2020, as revealing that 66% of parents in the US say parenting is harder today than it was 20 years ago, with many citing technologies – like social media or smartphones – as a reason.

In Cameroon, he said parents are experiencing a similar fate evidenced by recorded cases of child online abuse notably the publication of nude pictures or video clips of children online, cyberbullying, internet assisted kidnappings and child pornography.

He said the state of affairs has prompted the need for urgent and responsive measures to be taken to tackle the said abuses posed by digital technologies and provide a safe cyber environment where children can tap from the full potential of the said technologies for their personnel development.

Prof Ebot Ebot said in this light, the state of Cameroon under the esteemed stewardship of President Paul Biya, has taken a series of measures ranging from institutional to legislative actions aimed at combatting cybercrime and protecting children online.

On an institutional front, he said ANTIC is mandated to ensure the security of the Cameroonian cyberspace and promote the safe use of ICTs for the harmonious development of Cameroon.

“As such, with regard to Child Online Protection, ANTIC has over the years championed awareness raising campaigns among children and youth on risks and responsibilities they may encounter when using the Internet. The awareness raising has been carried out via the drafting and distribution of Internet Safety Guides during proximity campaigns in schools, radio programs and the broadcast of SMS messages,” he continued.

“On a legislative standpoint, Cameroon now disposes a legal instrument that regulates and protects children’s online experience thanks to Law N° 2023/009 of 25 July 2023 to Institute the Charter on Child Online Protection in Cameroon. This Charter represents a comprehensive framework designed to safeguard children from online harm and to promote a safer and more secure digital environment,” he added.

Enter lead trainer

The Founder of IGXTELLE Law Group, Igxtelle Mbah-Acha Dopgima, who served as lead trainer at the workshop, disclosed that throughout the training programme, participants delved into the elements of the law to gain proper understanding of the legislator’s intent with regards to the protection of the child online in Cameroon. 

The US-based Attorney and Counselor at Law, said: “We explored the current digital landscape in Cameroon, examining both the opportunities and the risks. We learned about the latest tools and technologies available to safeguard children online, from parental control software to educational programs that teach digital literacy and responsible online behavior”.

“We also discussed the importance of collaboration between governmental entities, the private sector, and civil society organisations,” she added, stating that one of the most profound aspects of the training was the sharing of realities of persons under 18 in the Cameroon cyberspace. 

“We shared powerful stories highlighting the unique challenges and innovative solutions in child online protection. These stories reminded us that while the internet is a global phenomenon, the dangers lurk at every corner and so we must adopt the approach to implementing the law that is detailed, clear and well communicated,” she concluded.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3152 of Friday June 28, 2024