Call for Responsible Internet Use

Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya has urged members of the public to remain vigilant about the impact of technological advancements and improved internet connectivity reaching Fijians.

The remarks were made after a recent partnership made between Vodafone Fiji and Starlink.

“While this partnership marks a significant advancement in our telecommunications infrastructure, promising to enhance connectivity across our nation, mainly for our rural and maritime communities, this technological advancement may mean an increase in this statistic of pornographic sites and adult content,” Ms Tabuya said.

“Fiji is ranked fourth by Google trends in percentage searches for the word porn while adult content and pornographic sites are one of the top 10 most used data traffic in Fiji.

“As the Minister responsible for women and children and the co-chair for the anti-pornography taskforce, I urge telecommunication companies and stakeholders to take proactive measures by conducting awareness sessions within our communities.

“These sessions should focus on the responsible use of the internet and social media, highlighting the harmful effects of excessive screen time and the dangers associated with pornography.”

Ms Tabuya said it was important that citizens be equipped with knowledge and tools to navigate the digital landscape safely and responsibly.

“We must remain aware of the possible increase in technology-facilitated gender-based violence and violence against children. As we enhance our digital infrastructure, we must also implement safeguards to protect our communities from these threats.

“Let us work together to ensure that the benefits of improved connectivity do not come at the cost of our social responsibilities and the wellbeing of our families.”

Ms Tabuya said the encouragement of a culture of awareness and responsibility could harness the power of technology for the greater good.

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