Peak Of World Children's Day 2022: ASEAN Children's Forum Suarakan Awareness In Digital Security

Photo: Doc. Antara

MANADO - The 7th ASEAN Children's Forum (ACF 7th) asked the government to build digital resilience for all children in the ASEAN region through the voice of ASEAN CHILDREN.

"We call on all children to speak up to raise awareness of digital security and help marginalized communities to have access to digital literacy," said Alya Alkautsar Zakiabsyah, Communication Media Division of the 7th National Children's Forum, quoted by Antara, Sunday, November 20.

At the Peak of World Children's Day 2022, ASEAN's Suara was read by Alya together with Singapore Representative Zhuang JunYou in the Tree of Love, Megamas Area, Manado City, Sulawesi.

In addition to calling for digital awareness and security in strengthening digital literacy, children encourage parents and guardians to collaborate with teachers and other stakeholders in educating children related to digital literacy and encouraging schools to actively implement digital learning and increase teacher capacity.

They encourage people to help fundraising and promote digital literacy-related campaigns and encourage governments to improve internet accessibility for people in remote areas.

In the participation of digital resilience, the government must ensure equal education and digital transformation. The government must build many mechanisms that are eligible to promote digital participation and resilience for all children in order to enable them to play an active role in making this area a growth epicenter.

They propose schools to organize activities and create platforms to enhance collaboration with digital companies, and ask digital companies to improve the skills and digital knowledge of the 21st century for students and teachers, as well as realize the responsibilities of parents and guardians to support, guide and supervise their children when children use the internet, and to protect them from potential risks and dangers.

Regarding digital security, they ask the government to provide regulations on digital literacy curriculum at all levels of education related to law enforcement and child protection from all forms of exploitation and abuse online, and create a safe and accessible hotline to report online exploitation and harassment to children.

Alya and Zhuang stated that they would also encourage the government to provide capacity building for all actors and stakeholders related to digital security, while still paying attention to the safety and security of all children.

Including proposing to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to create more strategic partnerships with various stakeholders to advocate, disseminate, campaign for digital safety and security for all children, and offer support for victims of online abuse and exploitation.

Private companies are expected to ensure digital security by strengthening child protection systems, and employing digital experts by providing decent wages and remuneration, as well as educating customers by providing user-friendly information and adequate details regarding their digital security.

ACF 7th also urges parents and guardians to commit to good parenting and pay attention to the needs of learning and development of their children.

"In addition, urge parents to maintain and maintain healthy communication and interactions with their children, and participate in digital care programs related to digital security and safety," he said.