Online safety
Increased online activity brings associated risks in the realm of online safety. Those accessing the internet for the first time may be particularly vulnerable to online fraud and misinformation. Additional dangers include online bullying and abuse. A survey conducted by dtac in Thailand found that 91% of children had experienced some form of online bullying, with heightened risks for girls and women (SDG 5). This can have a negative impact on emotional and mental health. The ability to navigate the wide cyberspace safely and securely is an important factor in promoting connectivity for all, particularly for children.
We have actively been working with partners, including UNICEF and Plan International, to improve online safety for children aged 10 years and up. In 2020, we were able to achieve our goal of training 4 million children across our markets in online safety, empowering them to make better decisions, using the internet in a confident and responsible manner.
Related initiatives
We have provided parents, teachers and children in Norway, Denmark, Bangladesh and Myanmar with training related to cyber-bullying and online risks, including guidance on parental controls, access to helplines for children, mechanisms for reporting illegal and harmful content and efforts to prevent the spread of child sexual abuse.
Digiworld, is our interactive, online learning resource designed to help children identify online risks, negative behaviour, hate speech and fake news, while promoting a kind and respectful online presence.