‘Ensure digital world is safe for kids

Recognising the role of digital technology as a game changer for disadvantaged children, the report also addressed the need to make the digital world safer for users. As per the report, less than one-third of internet users in the country are female. “In India, where only 29 per cent of all internet users are female, girls in rural areas often face restrictions on their use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), solely because of their gender. One village governing body in rural Rajasthan stated that girls were not allowed to use mobile phones or social media.

Another village in Uttar Pradesh banned unmarried girls from using mobile phones,” stated the report.

While advocating the need to increase digital access, the report cautions on the new risks, including online child sexual abuse, cyber bullying, misuse of private information and exploitation. “Too little is done to protect children from the perils of the digital world and to increase their access to safe online content,” according to the report.

Job Zachariah, Chief of UNICEF office for Tamil Nadu & Kerala, said, “Internet and mobiles are windows of learning and education for children.

We should not shut off these windows, but instead should protect children from the harms and risks of internet.” The report added that about 29 per cent of the youth worldwide are not online. About 56 per cent of all websites are in English, which is a disadvantage for children who do not know the language.

The digital divide also mirrors the prevailing economic gaps, poverty and vulnerability in the world, stated the report. MP Nirmala, Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said, “Equity in digital space is critical.

However, access to internet is still dominated by male users. As Chennai is an IT hub, Tamil Nadu can demonstrate a model on equitable access to internet in India.”

Andrew Sesuraj, Convener, Tamil Nadu Child Rights Observatory (TNCRO), said that children should have access to digital world, while ensuring that there is a safe online space for them. “In our country, there is not appropriate, children-focussed content.

In addition, we have not empowered our children to use the digital world safely. We need to enhance the access to online media among children and teenagers, so they have access to education, empowerment and skill development,” he said.