Lusaka District Commissioner, Rosa Kayuni says children are the most vulnerable members of the society that are exposed to online abuse.
The District Commissioner cited cyber bullying, harmful content and even exploitation as some of the online abuses that children are exposed to.
She was speaking at a validation workshop on Draft National Child Online Protection (COP) for 2025-2029 Strategy organised by the Ministry of Technology and science in collaboration with the Ministry of community Development and social services and Zambia Information and communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) held in Lusaka.
‘Our children who are among the members of society are exposed to challenges such as cyber bullying, harmful content and even exploitation”, she listed.
Ms Kayuni added that the validation workshop is a crucial step in shaping strategy that speaks to the district’s realities.
She further said the insights, ideas, and experiences shared during the workshop will help build the country’s online environment making it safe for and supportive to every child in the district.
The District Commissioner explained that the government has demonstrated the importance of safeguarding children in a multi-sectoral approach.
She added that this is evidenced by the enactment of the children’s code ACT Number 12 of 2022.
“By enacting the children’s code ACT Number 12 of 2022, the UPND government has demonstrated the importance of safeguarding children in a multi-sectoral approach,” she said.
Ms Kayuni commended the stakeholders for their dedication to the welfare and development of children in the district.
Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) Director in charge of economic regulation and consumer protection, Bernard Banda revealed that over 60 percent of internet users are young people.
“As of 2024, the ministry working with the ministry of community development had seen it fit to develop a new child online protection strategy that will run from 2025-2029 created by various stakeholders”, he said.
Mr Banda explained that the strategy was developed to harness the online opportunities and addressing the online challenges faced by the users
The workshop attracted participants from government, private sector, the church and other child protection stakeholders in the district.
