Wale Bakare, the organisation’s co-founder and Director of Partnerships and Sustainability, made the call while addressing participants at a one-day workshop held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, to mark the 2024 Safer Internet Day.

Attended by digital enthusiasts, parents, students and teachers from schools within Ilorin, the workshop themed ‘Inspiring Change, Making a Difference’ aimed at raising awareness of a safer and better internet for all, and especially for children and young people.

Bakare, who is also a digital rights advocate emphasized the need for stakeholders like governments, school authorities, teachers and parents to address online concerns to protect children and young people from potential online risks and get the most from their internet experience.

While educating the children on how they can safely navigate the digital landscape, the NGO boss warned them about the risks of interacting with strangers online, and also encouraged them to report to their teachers and parents any suspicious activity they encounter on the internet.

Bakare, who shared valuable insights on how parents and teachers can manage YouTube and search engines for children’s safe usage, stressed the importance of open communication between parents and children, noting that “guiding, not restricting, is key to fostering responsible online behaviour among children.”

“Without doubt, the internet is a force for good, but also holds some dangers for its users, particularly children and young people. This is why it is important that both parents and children are aware of the risks the internet can present such as cybercrime, cyberbullying, invasion of privacy, impersonation, and spread of fake news and hate speeches.

“The digital space is wide and knows no borders. As such, collective efforts are needed to ensure a safer, more inclusive, and secure internet for our children and young people. Relevant stakeholders like governments, school authorities, teachers and parents must come together to address online concerns to protect children and young people from potential online risks and get the most from their internet experience,” he said.

On her part, the founder of TrustElevate and digital identity author, Dr. Rachel O’Cornell, who joined the workshop virtually from her base in Europe, shed light on some of the current global issues around internet safety, especially recent United States Senate public hearing on Child Safety, involving CEOs of big social media companies like Facebook, Snapchat, Tiktok and X formerly called Twitter.

She also equipped the participants with strategies to discern truth from falsehood in the digital age while also sharing with them approaches for students and adults to manage their screen time and establish healthy digital habits.

The highlight of the programme was the unveiling of the WDSfaI’s Online Safety Superhero Handbook titled ‘A Kid’s Guide to Online Adventures’, providing valuable insights and practical tips for children navigating the digital world and findings of its research on ‘Strategies to Enhance Online Safety for Children in Nigeria, shedding light on effective measures measures to safeguard young users online

Hameed Muritala, the organisation’s director of Communications and Strategy, explained that “the handbook provides valuable insights and practical tips on how children and young people can safely navigate the digital space while the research report sheds light on effective measures to safeguard young users online.”

He disclosed that copies of the handbook and research reports would be distributed to schools across Kwara state.

In this digital age, the role of governments in safeguarding and promoting internet freedom has become increasingly vital.

The internet serves as a platform for individuals to exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, association, and assembly.

As the primary entities responsible for protecting the rights and interests of their citizens, governments in Nigeria have a crucial responsibility in ensuring open access to the internet, guaranteeing internet freedom, and upholding the rule of law online.

Governments, along with private-sector entities, civil society organizations, and international bodies, play a central role in shaping the development of the Communication and Information Society.

They possess the power to create policies, regulations, and frameworks that define the parameters of internet access and usage.

This responsibility extends beyond the national level, as the internet’s borderless nature demands global cooperation and coordination in internet governance.

The foundation of a thriving internet lies in its openness. Governments bear the responsibility of preserving the open and free nature of the global internet ecosystem.

This entails providing citizens with unimpeded access to online platforms, free from arbitrary restrictions or censorship. It also involves establishing and enforcing laws that protect individuals’ rights and interests while balancing the need for cybersecurity, privacy, and protection against speech that incites violence.

Internet freedom is not an absolute concept. While governments aim to enhance internet freedom, they must also consider the rights and interests of all members of society.

The internet can be a space where conflicts arise between individuals, groups, or institutions with divergent viewpoints. In such cases, governments have a duty to protect the rights and interests of all parties involved.

This includes ensuring cybersecurity measures are in place to safeguard individuals and critical infrastructure, protecting individuals’ right to privacy, and addressing harmful speech that undermines social cohesion or incites violence.

Furthermore, governments must recognize that internet freedom is not solely a domestic issue but also a matter of foreign policy. As the internet transcends national borders, collaboration and engagement in global internet governance are imperative. Governments should actively participate in international discussions, working alongside other nations, organizations, and stakeholders to establish common principles, standards, and frameworks that preserve internet freedom while addressing transnational challenges.

To fulfill their responsibility in protecting and furthering internet freedom, governments must strike a delicate balance between facilitating open access to the internet and ensuring the rights and interests of individuals are respected. This requires robust legal and regulatory frameworks that promote transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in decision-making processes. Governments should actively engage with civil society and the private sector, recognizing their valuable contributions and expertise in shaping internet policies.

In Nigeria, the government’s commitment to enhancing internet freedom is crucial for fostering a thriving digital ecosystem, driving innovation, and facilitating economic growth. By investing in internet infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, and creating a favorable environment for digital startups and SMEs, the government can empower its citizens to fully participate in the digital economy.

In conclusion, the role of governments in protecting and furthering internet freedom cannot be overstated. It is their responsibility to ensure open access to the internet, guarantee internet freedom, and uphold the rule of law online.

By striking a balance between protecting individual rights and addressing societal interests, governments in Nigeria can create an environment that nurtures innovation, inclusivity, and respect for fundamental freedoms in the digital realm.

Collaboration at both domestic and international levels is vital to address the evolving challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

Wale Bakare is a Digital Rights and Digital Inclusion Advocate, Co-founder/Director of Partnership and Sustainability, Webfala Digital Skills for all Initiative.