Macra for safe Internet environment

Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has called on players in the telecommunications sector to work together in promoting policies and strategies that create a safe digital environment for children and young people.

Speaking in Blantyre yesterday during the Safer Internet Day commemoration, Macra director of economic regulations Andrew Nyirenda said with the proliferation of Internet usage, children are being subjected to cyberbullying, sex exploitation as well misinformation.

He said: “Every second a child gets online for the first time, so it’s up to every stakeholder to make sure children know exactly what they are supposed to do as they are on the Internet.”

Nyirenda said Macra has embarked on consumer awareness campaigns across the country educating consumers on their rights as digital consumers, tips on preventing mobile money fraud, cyber security, and cyber-crimes, and the salient features of the Electronic Transactions and Cyber security Act.

Malawi Police Service head of digital forensics and cyber crimes unit Gladwell Kubwalo said lately, they are receiving a lot of reports on cyber crimes, calling on parents to guard their children against harmful contents on the Internet.

“Parents should monitor whatever their children are accessing online, they can either block some cites or install a software that will enable them to monitor the content,” he said.

According to the 2016 Electronic Transaction and Cyber Security Act, it is a crime to share pornographic pictures or videos online.

The crime attracts a maximum of 15 years imprisonment plus a K10 million fine.

Safer Internet Day promotes a safer and more responsible use of online technology by children and young people around the world.

The day, which falls on February 7, was commemorated under the theme ‘Together for a better internet’.

However, Malawi has commemorated the day under the sub-theme ‘Let’s talk about it, making space for conversations about online safety.’