Ayawaso west: The Ayawaso West Municipal Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has urged parents and caregivers to closely monitor their children's online activities to protect them from the growing risks associated with internet use.
According to Ghana News Agency, this call was made during a public education programme at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Abelenkpe, on the theme 'Children's Rights in the Digital Space'. Mr. Edem Afeeva, the Ayawaso West Municipal Director of the NCCE, highlighted the dual nature of the internet, offering both opportunities for learning and entertainment, alongside risks like cyberbullying, online predators, identity theft, and inappropriate content.
Mr. Afeeva emphasized the importance of parents taking an active role in understanding their children's digital engagements, including the websites they visit and the applications they use. This understanding, he noted, would help parents identify potential risks early and offer necessary guidance and protection.
He advised maintaining open communication between parents and children regarding online experiences and establishing clear internet use rules. An open and trusting environment, he suggested, would encourage children to report disturbing messages, suspicious contacts, or inappropriate content they might encounter online.
In addition to setting guidelines on permissible websites and applications, Mr. Afeeva recommended monitoring the time children spend online to foster responsible digital habits. He also urged parents to oversee their children's social media accounts and online interactions, while balancing their welfare and safety.
Furthermore, Mr. Afeeva highlighted the importance of educating children on safeguarding personal information, cautioning them against sharing sensitive details such as full names, home addresses, school information, and contact numbers with strangers. He warned that such information could be exploited for fraudulent activities and advised children to be cautious with friend requests and suspicious links to avoid scams or malicious software.