Student Traded Nude Images and Videos for Cash

The youngest victim recently discovered in the business of trading nude images and videos of herself for cash and other benefits is a primary school student at a prominent school in Nadi.

This was revealed by Ministry of Education Divisional Counsellor West, Alice Fong, on Saturday.

She raised the alarm while speaking at a women's conference organised by the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji at the Gurukul Primary School in Saweni, Lautoka, on Saturday.

Ms Fong made the revelation in a bid to remind parents of their responsibilities as children continue to be influenced by what they see and hear on their mobile phones.

She emphasised the importance of monitoring their children's activities on social media always.

Ms Fong said in her observation, the challenges parents faced with their children today had doubled compared to the last 10 to 20 years.

She shared a few common challenges she came across during her school visits in the Western Division.

“There is a social media app now called telegram. In this app, young girls and boys put up their pictures and short videos in exchange of ‘a good time’; some are after $100, some for recharge cards, and in cases some do this in exchange of a new phone,” Ms Fong said.

“The youngest victim that I had to deal with was a primary school student who was offering herself,” she said.

“This is in Nadi where the ministry and police had to step in to intervene.”

Ms Fong said another concerning issue was that young girls were now ending up in other places when they left home for school in the morning.

“I have gone to some primary school where I have to deal with young girls who don’t reach school, but they go on a joy ride,” she said.

“These a primary school students, Year 6 and Year 7. Some are taking bus rides from Nadi to Lautoka.”

She is calling on parents to be more vigilant and continue to talk to their children on the harmful effects of such actions.

“We can still manage children. Don’t make excuses, it’s never too late.

“Be a role model of good behaviour to your children. Discipline them. Impact good values to them,” she added.

Minister responds 

Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro said the information was concerning.

“Students using explicit pictures in exchange for cash and other things is deeply worrying,” Mr Radrodro said.

“This is something we at the Ministry of Education is very concerned about and we would like to reiterate to parents the importance of the role they play in preparing their children. I have been saying all along that it is not only the duty of the Ministry of Education to educate a child.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to educate and keep talking to a child, the vanua, the lotu to ensure that the child is not being abused and not being used in this form.”

He emphasised the importance of monitoring children.

“Education in the past ten to twenty years is very different now, there are lots of challenges that are confronting the teachers like the use of mobile phones and this a challenge for teachers. Parents need to be aware and be responsible,” the minister said.

“I reiterate that parents and guardians to take the responsibility that the child comes to school with the proper mindset.”

Police 

In an earlier interview, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Internal Affairs, and Professional Standards Sakeo Ganivatu urged parents to wake up to their responsibilities.

He also advised parents against giving mobile phones to their children.

“We must learn how to engage with these young people. They receive phones and parents simply socialise. Men go out to drink grog, women engage in crafts and singing, while children are left with phones at home,” ACP Ganivatu said.

“This has become a habit, and by the time you try to change it, it’s often too late. You can only effectively teach children while they are still young; their development starts from birth to six years old,” he said.

ACP Ganivatu said that by the time parents realise they need to change their children’s habits, it’s usually too late.

“Parents are neglecting their children while expecting them to behave well. Your children spend eight hours a day in school, another eight hours sleeping, and the remaining eight are for you, the parents,” ACP Ganivatu said.

“Even spending just five minutes with your children is a blessing to them. We should use those eight hours to sit with our children and teach them.

“If you invest those eight hours in your children, they will succeed.

“You should have dedicated a few hours of your time to those children who are now roaming the streets. The issue of our children begins at home.”

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