At this Moment, Your children Are At Risk... The Internet Is Not Always Safe
A campaign by the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs Through the National Program for the Protection of Family and Childhood and the Higher Council for Childhood
MECC Media Sheds Light on it in a Special Interview with the Secretary General of the Higher Council for Childhood Mrs. Rita Karam
"At this Moment, Your children Are At Risk... The Internet Is Not Always Safe." This is the title of the campaign launched by the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs, through the National Program for the Protection of the Family and Childhood and the Higher Council for Childhood. It is a very important campaign, especially since it comes amidst the increasing presence of the Internet phenomenon that is sweeping the professional and private lives of all family members, including children.
It is true that the Internet offers many educational and entertainment benefits, especially in building children's capacities and developing their skills, but it also imposes many risks that threaten their lives and put them in danger. Therefore, awareness has become necessary and essential, as well as protecting children from any electronic violence they may be exposed to.
In a special interview with the Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) at the “Platform of the Word”, Mrs. Rita Karam, the Secretary General of the Higher Council for Childhood in Lebanon, indicated that the campaign aims to make a network between the various ministries that work for childhood with the civil society organizations and international organizations in order to shed light on the seriousness of this issue and inform parents about the possibility of communicating with the relevant ministries through their hotlines to raise their concerns and fears about what their children have been exposed. Thus, the ministers will help in finding appropriate solutions to protect these children and support them psychologically and morally.
Noting that the partners of this campaign are the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, The Center for Educational Research and Development, Ministry of Justice, Internal Security Forces - Cybercrime Bureau, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Information, Ogero, UNICEF, as well as civil society organizations and are Himaya Association, Union for the Protection of Juveniles in Lebanon, Justice Without Borders Association, Internet Society Association, Dot Lebanon Association, Tasami Association, Rakaz Association, René Moawad Foundation, Takaful Association for Child Welfare, Syndicate of Educational Technology in Lebanon, Digital Transformation and Digital Governance Network, with the support of Promomedia.
As for the dangers of the Internet, there is no shortage of them, especially since they appear through many types such as inappropriate content, cyberbullying, theft, and fraud through different characters who urge children to exchange personal information such as home address and phone number, or encourage them to communicate with them in preparation for exploiting and deceiving them. Children may also be exposed to hate speech and violent content, and they may receive messages that incite self-harm and even suicide.
Hence, the role of parents has become very important in monitoring their children and being aware of what they browse on the Internet before it is too late! "The Internet is not always safe."