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Children must desist from using the current technological advances to access obscene materials and hate speech, among other vices.
These technological advancements must be used in a positive way, says acting Community Development and Social Services Minister, Elvis Nkandu, on Friday to commemorate the Day of The African Child, held under the theme: “The Rights of the Child in The Digital Environment.”
“The Zambian government remains committed towards the promotion and protection of children’s rights in the digital environment.
“This commitment manifests itself through the formulation of the National Child Policy, National Social Protection Policy, National Gender Policy, National Education Policy, among others, meant to implement child development,” Nkandu said.
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He also said countries on the continent must holistically prioritise the rights of children, as espoused in various human rights treaties and instruments, such as the Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
During the commemoration, Nkandu launched the National Child Participation Framework, meant to promote and advance child participation and fulfillment of their rights as provided for in the Children’s Code Act.
At the same event, Africa Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), Vice Chairperson, Anne Musiwa observed that there was still lack of child-specific legislation and policies pertaining to digital environment by some countries.
Musiwa said this was despite efforts made to promote and protect children’s online rights.
“The committee is finalising a study on children’s rights and business, including children’s rights online so as to inform the ACERWC in the execution of its mandate,” she said.
Meanwhile, Children’s representative, Princess Jasmeen Mavura advocated for the protection of children online, by blocking harmful content and to take punitive measures on children offenders in order to protect children from various abuses.
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