Paratus Botswana has launched its online safety initiative for a second consecutive year, following its initial...
Botswana
In 2024, Paratus Botswana launched the Internet Safety initiative to promote safer online environments for children and families, recognising both the opportunities and risks of digital connectivity. According to UNICEF, 71% of young people worldwide are online, spending an average of two hours daily during the week and four hours per day on weekends. While technical measures such as parental control tools are crucial for protecting children, raising awareness and providing education are equally important.
Through this initiative, Paratus aims to equip parents, guardians, and children with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the digital world safely. By addressing key issues such as online scams, cyberbullying, privacy, and digital responsibility, the campaign fosters digital resilience and promotes responsible online behaviour.
Paratus aligns its efforts with the ITU Child Online Protection (COP) Guidelines, which provide a framework for safeguarding children in the digital space. The ITU COP initiative highlights the shared responsibility among governments, the private sector, educators, and caregivers to create a secure online environment. As part of this commitment, Paratus is playing its role by offering educational resources and practical guidance to help families and schools mitigate online risks. The ITU has also developed child-friendly apps and resources tailored to different age groups, helping young internet users develop digital literacy skills in a safe and engaging way.
A key element of the Paratus Botswana Internet Safety awareness campaign is the annual sponsorship of the Just Kidding feature on Yarona FM, running from February to April. This interactive radio segment, targeted at children aged 7–12, delivers on-air safety tips through engaging discussions and quizzes, helping young audiences understand essential internet safety concepts in a fun and relatable way.
In addition to the radio campaign, Paratus has developed a range of downloadable resources, including Tips for Parents/Guardians, School Internet Safety Tips, and a printable Cables and Ladders board game to make learning about online safety more interactive.
For additional online safety resources from ITU, visit https://www.itu.int/en/cop.
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