CEO advocates strict policies on the use of internet, social media by children

Mr Nathaniel Quaye educating some of the pupils on the positive use of internet and social media

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Anansesem Media, an online platform, Nathaniel Quaye has advocated strict policies that will safeguard the right of a child on the internet and social media.

According to him, countries like North Korea and China have strict restrictions with regard to the use of social media and the internet which have protected children from being exposed to some indecent con­tent on social media, therefore, when such strictness is applied in Ghana, it will make children use social media in a positive way.

Speaking in an interview with The Spec­tator in Accra recently, Mr Quaye stated that issues related to Child Online Protec­tion (COP) should be given serious consider­ation by major stakeholders.

He noted that some students were abusing the internet and social media to promote illicit contents which some had gone viral.

“Recently we saw viral videos of stu­dents and pupils insulting the president, also some explicit acts which they should not have used the social media to do,” Mr Quaye said.

To promote awareness of child safety in the online world and to develop practical tools to assist governments, industry and educators, his office has embarked on a school campaign project to teach students on means of using internet to improve their education and bridge the gap of internet illiteracy.

Dubbed: “The benefits of social media/ internet and the impact on the Ghanaian students,” Mr Quaye said, he had visit­ed three schools namely, Evergreenfield Montessori, Deok Foundation and Thy Mercy International School in Accra to create awareness of violence, abuse and exploita­tion within the online space while promot­ing the benefits of the use of the internet for pupils.

He said with time the project would be extended to various schools in the country, if his outfit got all the necessary support and resources from other benevolent or­ganisations and individuals whose children’s safety on the social media mattered to them.

“The project will ensure that all Ghana­ian children learn safety online and explore all the opportunities presented to them by the online environment to develop their full potentials while learning new ways in generating income from the social media platforms,” Mr Quaye added.

 By Joyceline Natally Cudjoe