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. The call was made during a public education programme at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Abelenkpe, on the theme 'Children's Rights in the Digital Space'.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Edem Afeeva, the Ayawaso West Municipal Director of the NCCE, highlighted that although the internet provides children with opportunities for learning, communication, and entertainment, it also exposes them to risks such as cyberbullying, online predators, identity theft, and inappropriate content. Mr. Afeeva encouraged parents to actively engage in their children's digital lives by familiarizing themselves with the websites they visit, the applications and games they use, and the operational mechanisms of those platforms.
He emphasized that such knowledge would enable parents to identify potential risks early and provide the necessary guidance and protection. Mr. Afeeva advised parents to maintain open communication with their children about their online experiences and to establish clear rules regarding internet use. "Creating an open and trusting environment will encourage children to report disturbing messages, suspicious contacts, or inappropriate content they encounter online," he stated.
In addition, he recommended setting clear guidelines on the websites children may visit, the applications they are permitted to use, and the amount of time they spend online each day to help them develop responsible digital habits. Mr. Afeeva urged parents to monitor their children's social media accounts, messaging applications, and online interactions while respecting their welfare and safety.
He further advised parents to educate their children on protecting personal information and cautioned them against sharing details such as their full names, home addresses, school information, telephone numbers, passwords, or photographs with strangers. He warned that criminals could exploit such information for fraud, exploitation, or intimidation and advised children not to accept friend requests from unknown persons or click on suspicious links that could expose them to scams or malicious software.