Respect encouraged on Safer Internet Day

Children falling victim to predators online and being exposed to harmful digital content is a rising social concern, as access to technology and the internet increases in South Africa.

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The Film and Publication Board (FPB) hosted a Safer Internet Day (SID) campaign on February 8.

The day was themed Exploring Respect and Relationships Online and was aimed at encouraging safe and positive use of digital technology and starting conversations around creating a positive digital footprint.

According to the DataReportal website, the number of internet users in South Africa grew by 4.5% between 2020 and 2021, totalling over 38 million in January 2021.

Internet penetration grew to a high of 64% during the same time.

Additionally, social media users grew by 14% to 25 million, an equivalent of 42% of the population of the country.

The growing impact of this online explosion on the content consumed by citizens cannot be underestimated, both for good and for bad.

SID is celebrated in approximately 140 countries around the globe annually to celebrate the positive aspects of the online space, and equally to raise awareness of emerging online social ills, such as cyberbullying, data privacy and the dissemination of child pornography.

FPB as the South African SID committee member of the International Association of International Hotlines will be leading SID activities in South Africa.

Partners joining in the movement in 2022 include Department of Communication and Digital Technologies, Google SA, Meta SA, Media Diversity and Development Agency, National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa, za Domain Name Authority for South Africa, Brand South Africa and the Department of Education.

“The FPB has a responsibility to protect children from exposure to harmful content, playing a leading role in creating awareness around the dangers of the internet.

“We encourage the safe and responsible use of the digital space as a key tool to empower, educate and entertain our youth,” said Nomvuyiso Batyi, interim CEO of FPB.

“The Films and Publications Amendment Act assented to by the president in 2019, which is set to become operational this year, will provide a broader mandate for regulation of content in the online space, allowing us to advance a more effective service to consumers by always balancing public protection with the constitutional right to freedom of expression of all citizens.

“An example of this relates to protecting the public from online revenge pornography, a growing scourge in society.”

Nomonde Gongxeka- Seopa, head of public policy Southern Africa at Meta, said: “We want our technologies to be a safe and supportive place for our entire community around the world, but especially young people who we know are particularly vulnerable.

“As Meta, we take a comprehensive approach to making our platforms a better place for everyone.

“We do this by writing clear policies about what is and isn’t allowed on our platform, developing sophisticated technology to detect and prevent abuse from happening, and providing helpful tools and resources for people to control their experience.

“We’re excited to be partnering with FPB and other key partners for SID. It is important to us to continue discussing and fostering open conversations around online safety and the use of technology.”

According to a study conducted by the South African College of Applied Psychology, South Africa has the fourth highest rate of cyberbullying in the world.

It also states that 24% of South African teens have experienced cyberbullying first-hand and 84% know someone who has been a victim.

Other pertinent statistics paint a picture of the growth of the cyber world and its impact on the “offline” world:
• 43.2 million people in South Africa will be mobile internet subscribers by 2022
• Internet-based gaming predicted to grow by 35.7%
• Twenty-two percent of people with broadband access in South Africa spend more than five hours on the internet per day and internet usage is more popular than television and radio
Parents/caregivers do not monitor their children’s online footprint or filter the content they are exposed to (Film and Publication Board Convergence Survey 2020).
• Eighty percent of schoolchildren are dependent on mobile devices (Cellphone addiction in South Africa – Youth Research Unit, UNISA)
• Seventy percent of children checked their phones as soon as they woke up (Cellphone addiction in South Africa – Youth Research Unit, UNISA)
• Sixty percent said: “I could not live without my cellphone.” (Cellphone addiction in South Africa – Youth Research Unit, UNISA)

“Children are growing up in a connected, digitalised society where they are exposed to technology before they can understand the risks associated with online activities,” said Batyi.

“iPads, laptops, smartphones and portable gaming devices are great technologies for performing specific tasks or providing a source of entertainment.

“For parents, teachers and guardians, these devices serve as means of communication and are viewed as new gadgets of our time.

“However, for children raised in the electronic era, familiarity with these advanced gadgets breeds a false feeling of safety and privacy which experience has shown to be quite contrary.”

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