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The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) says that ensuring the safety of internet users requires a global approach.
The Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau, ITU, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said this in a statement on Tuesday, as the world marked the ”Safer Internet Day 2019”.
Safer Internet Day 2019, observed on February 5 is the day when governments, companies, civil society and international organisations come together to show their actions in promoting a safer and more responsible use of digital technologies, especially among children and young people across the world.
Bodgan-Martin said that the Safer Internet Day was not just on February 5, but everyday, as everyday, people work to protect young people and children online.
She said that the theme of this year’s Safer Internet Day – ”Together for better internet” – was all about collaboration and partnership.
”I believe that we all have to work together not only to bring more people online, but also to discuss, identify and implement solutions towards building a universally available, open, secure and trustworthy internet.
”Protecting children and young adults from online risks is a global challenge, which requires a global approach.
”The issue of online safety regularly comes up as one that we need to collectively put our efforts into, working together for maximum impact.
”ITU data shows that over 70 per cent of the world’s youth are online. In developed countries, 94 per cent of young people aged 15-24 use the internet, while in developing countries the number stands at 67 per cent,” the director said.
According to him, these numbers illustrate that today, young people are the most dynamic users of technologies.
She said that it was therefore paramount that people work together to ensure a better internet for children and future generations.
”As a mother, I want my children to benefit from today’s digital revolution. But I also want to protect them from risks they face online.
”As the Director of the ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), I have the privilege and responsibility to contribute to build a better internet for all children,” she said.
Bodgan-Martin said that the ITU Child Online Protection (COP) Initiative, now in its second decade, was a multi-stakeholder effort that brought together partners from all sectors of the global community.
She said that the initiative was to create a safe and empowering online experience for children around the world.
”We all need to play our part in creating a better internet for everyone, and especially for our children and future generations,” the director said.