Digital safety starts at home

Children in Fiji are facing growing dangers online. Cybercrime officials warn that bullying, sextortion, and child sexual abuse material are on the rise. Hundreds of cases have already been reported this year. Authorities say young people are being drawn into harmful online relationships that later turn into blackmail or exploitation. 
Police cybercrime officers stress that responsibility begins at home. “Devices belong to parents, and parents must take responsibility for what their children do online,” one officer said. Families, communities, and authorities are urged to work together instead of blaming each other. Officials say predators are increasingly targeting children through social media and messaging apps. 
The Online Safety Commission confirmed it has received 1226 reports of online harm this year, nearly matching last year’s total of 1377. Nineteen serious cases have been referred for prosecution. Abuse material has also been removed from the internet within hours through international partnerships. The commission highlighted sextortion as the fastest-growing threat. Young people are forming online relationships overseas and are then pressured into sending money or explicit images under threat of exposure. 
Authorities emphasise that any sexual image of a child under 13 is classed as abuse material. Creating or sharing images of anyone under 16 is a serious crime, even if the child consents. Nearly 14,000 students have already received education on online safety this year. Officials say prevention through awareness is a crucial tool in protecting children. 
Calls are growing for stronger laws, faster reforms, and more resources to safeguard children online. Officials reminded parents that children are “digital natives,” already using devices before they can speak. Avoiding sensitive topics, such as sex and relationships, can leave children learning from unsafe sources online. 
The Ministry for Women, Children and Social Protection has also warned university students about the risks of sharing personal images and videos. Officials said requests to remove intimate content from dark websites are frequent. What may seem harmless at first often results in long-term trauma. 
Other countries have taken steps to protect children online.
In Australia, new laws will raise the minimum age for social media accounts from 13 to 16. Platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent underage users, with penalties for non-compliance. The aim is to protect young Australians from cyberbullying and exploitation. 
In the United Kingdom, the Online Safety Act 2023 requires platforms to verify the age of users and block access to harmful content. Canada’s Online Harms Act holds social media platforms accountable and proposes a Digital Safety Commission to oversee protections.
New Zealand has introduced the Child Internet Safety Act, which requires filtered internet access for minors and devices designed with built-in protections. 
Fiji may not yet have these laws, but the risks are real. Strengthening laws, teaching children about online safety, and encouraging open conversations at home are urgent steps. Protecting our children in the digital world is everyone’s responsibility.