Child protection tops agenda in online safety talks

Protecting children from online exploitation and harmful digital content remains a Government priority, says Minister for Policing and Communications Ioane Naivalurua.

Mr Naivalurua made the comments following discussions with Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran and senior officials on strengthening online child protection measures in Fiji.

The meeting focused on improving collaboration between Government agencies, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and advancing initiatives aimed at creating safer online environments for children and other vulnerable groups.

Mr Naivalurua said the Government was committed to ensuring Fiji's laws, systems and partnerships remained responsive to emerging digital threats.

“Protecting our children from online exploitation and harmful digital content is a shared responsibility,” he said.

“Government agencies will continue to work closely together to ensure appropriate measures are in place to safeguard our children and communities.”

Ms Kiran welcomed the collaborative approach and stressed the importance of continued engagement between agencies responsible for child protection, law enforcement and digital governance.

She said effective cooperation was critical to protecting children from the growing risks associated with the digital world.

The ministers acknowledged the work already being carried out by relevant agencies and agreed to maintain close coordination as efforts continued to strengthen online safety and child protection measures nationwide.

The meeting formed part of broader Government efforts to promote a safe, secure and responsible digital environment for all Fijians, particularly children, who face increasing exposure to online risks.

Officials also discussed ways to improve information sharing and cooperation among stakeholders as Fiji continued to strengthen its response to online threats and child exploitation.