By Adedapo Adesanya
In line with its objectives to counter cybercrime and sensitise Nigerians on cybersecurity and its applications, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has taken a huge step further to educate parents about their roles regarding child online protection in the country.
At an event held recently by the Lagos Zonal Office, parents were equipped with relevant knowledge needed to protect themselves online while further extending such knowledge to their children and younger ones who use the Internet.
Speaking at the event, which took place at The Learning Place School, Lekki Phase 1, the Controller of the NCC Lagos Zone, Mr Henry Ojiokpota, said the sensitisation programme was targeted at parents of the school’s pupils, with the aim of equipping parents with the right knowledge they require to limit the exposure of their children to the negative aspects of Internet use.
Mr Ojiokpota, who was represented during the sensitisation by Mr Joseph Dimka, a Principal Manager at the Zonal Office, said the cyber awareness programme has become necessary given the rising spate of criminal activities being perpetrated online.
He further said children’s first point of contact were their parents in the area of counselling and taking parental instructions, that was why the commission was targeting the parents to in turn pass the knowledge gained to their children and thereby guiding the wards’ exposure to cyber threats as they use Internet-enabled smart devices.
The agency’s regulatory mandate of protecting, informing and educating telecom consumers in the country spurred the need to ensure that Nigerian children and youth are protected from cybercriminals.
With this in mind, it commenced a nationwide cybersecurity awareness campaign on the proper use of the Internet and enlightening them on how they can be protected when using the Internet and this is expected to take place in all 36 states in the country.
Modupe Gbadeyanka