Transforming Cyberspace Like We Are Transforming Our Streets

Online safety has become a contentious issue due to the increased popularity of social networks and instant messaging. Because cyberspace has no borders, textual harassment and exposure to inappropriate content amongst children have become popular and thus putting children in danger.

On May 15 Girls'Net, a daughter project ofWomen'sNet launched an online safety campaign for young people "Keep Your Chats Exactly That!" with the aim to under take public education on safe use of both mobile and social networks. Introducing the campaign, Faith Nkomo Girls'Net Project Manager announced the aim of the campaign clear by stating that it was does not slam social networks but rather, highlights dangers occurring in cyberspace and empower young people.

Duncan Harley from Mysta, who was one of the speakers at the launch said "there is no social network that is full proof, therefore, it is up to us to educate consumers/users of these social networks". Goodness Zulu from the Film and Publication Board (FPB) said that children do not know the dangers of the social networks and for this reason, when educating about digital dangers, the cunningness of the pedophiles should be highly emphasised.

Concern was raised at the launch about much focus and empowerment being given to the girl child. However, most research on social networks has indicated that girls/females are frequent users of the social networks and because of this, they are likely to become victims of textual harassment. Zulu highlighted that research has shown that girls tend to be more explorative and more socialising than boys and in addition, William Bird from the Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) also indicated in his research that girls dominate stories on child abuse whilst boys dominated stories about sports and education.

Acknowledging mobile operators as essential role players of the campaign, Bird said "they need to take responsibility on the issue of privacy". Referring to them as "giants", he said regulation has to start with them.

The campaign aims to engage with educators and learners on safe and responsible use, and will work with service providers, partner stakeholders on making cyberspace a safe space.

The campaign ended with group discussions with the following suggestions:

1. In addition to campaigning at schools, to advocate for the incorporation of ICT safety in the school curriculum together with safety issues in general (e.g. through the Life Orientation Programme);

 

2. To encourage and support (through Government Education Bursaries) Postgraduate students to carry research projects and dissertations on issues of ICT dangers and safety;

 

3. Film the Campaign Activities to further expose in the media;

4. To encourage Students as carriers of the campaign to other learners and young people;

 

Women'sNet has also commited itself to the following:

 

1. SMS Tips to South African Youth and parents

We will send a series of Safety Tips for young people for their cellphone use. While the change to behaviour is perhaps not proven, it will provide information and might also caution young people. We can use a 'snowball effect' - and try sending tips to girls and ask them to pass it on to 10 others. We can use mobilisr, or Frontline SMS

 

Another option is to use the lists of direct marketers - for example, The 2008 Matric SMS database* *consists of 85 000 young people, who had called the Matric Helpline to find out their results. Everyone on this list passed matric and gave permission to be contacted further for marketing reasons. The database consists of full name and cellphone number. Using these services costs about R1.50 per record, for between 20 000 and 50 000 numbers - so the costs are pretty high! (link: http://www.listsa.co.za/index.php)

 

_Cost: _cost is low, but access to numbers will be a challenge and will be high cost

 

_Outcome: _increased awareness, increased participation in the campaign

 

2. SMS Helpline

Using Mobilisr or Frontline SMS, we will establish an sms helpline offering assistance to young people, parents and teachers if they are concerned about harassment or abuse. The sms' will come into an email box, and we will assign a staff person to respond.

_Cost:_ about R2. Per sms sent. (we will probably need an automatic response to users so that they know that it's not an emergency service)

_Outcome:_ direct assistance and intervention

3. Letters to Schools and Parents

We can send out a letter to schools asking for their participation in the campaign and offering them different options. Pretoria and Johannesburg schools can ask us to come and do a presentation (also an opportunity to collect cellphone numbers!) and also offer them access to printed materials, tips for safety and telephonic assistance.

_Outcome:_ Awareness raising, introduction to the campaign, potential workshops, increased participation

Link: List of South African Schools: http://www.education.gov.za/emis/getmis/addresses.htm

4. Schools Outreach Visits

We can do school visits and workshops with learners (and teachers)- we will develop a standard workshop (and publisize this) that will include some activities and guidelines. We could develop this into a stand-alone course that teachers and parents and NGO partners can do at institutions that are in other provinces (since costs might prohibit us)

_Outcome:_ workshops will increase awareness of consequences and positive use, enable children to use mobile chat spaces safely, know how to complain about abuse

_Cost:_ low, without the cost of staff time. Could add up with transport costs though.

5. Building of a website dedicated to the Campaign