Digicel prioritises parental involvement for Safer Internet Day
AS THE official countdown to Safer Internet Day 2024 begins, Digicel is this year directing its efforts towards parents.
Built on the premise that parenting can be scary and overwhelming at the best of times, Digicel said it understood the added worry that parents have about what their children are watching and engaging with online. For this reason, the digital operator indicated it would be leading the online conversation with parents about how best to keep up with and protect the current generation of digitally savvy children.
Globally observed on the first Tuesday of February each year, Safer Internet Day, set for tomorrow, aims to promote a secure and improved online experience for all users, with a particular focus on young people.
“By the time they reach age 10, children are, in many cases, digitally smarter than their parents,”said Elon Parkinson, head of communications and corporate affairs at Digicel. “With all that parents have to do, it is therefore no wonder that they miss out on sharpening their digital knowledge in order to at least keep one step ahead of their children. It is extremely important for parents and guardians to put themselves in a better position to understand the new and emerging Internet threats, and how to better equip themselves to ensure their children’s safety online.”
The digital operator believes parents must be able to comprehend the digital landscape, including understanding the latest online trends, apps and Internet slangs, while becoming even more familiar with the capabilities of the digital devices they and their children use.
To amplify the conversation, Digicel will be actively engaging parents through online messages and traditional media discussions that encourage dialogue and discovery as part of a national collaborative effort for Safer Internet Day.
“We’re going all in on ensuring that our parents learn at least the basics on how to minimise online risks like identity theft, phishing scams, fraud, and cyberbullying that their children can also face online. We also want to guide them on how to sit down with their children and establish guidelines and safeguards for Internet use, and even to weigh the pros and cons of getting a particular type of phone for their child. We believe that empowered parents make for better protected children,” Parkinson added.
Through these efforts, Digicel said it aims to cultivate a well-informed and responsible online community, beginning at the home. The digital operator is committed not only to addressing immediate challenges, but also to promoting digital literacy, thereby ensuring that everyone possesses the knowledge and skills to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape.