CHILDREN MUST BE PROTECTED FROM HARMFUL ONLINE CONTENT; MINISTER PETER

By BRADLEY MARIORI

MINISTER for Community Development, Youth and Religion, Hon. Jason Peter, says protecting children and vulnerable citizens from harmful online content is a shared responsibility.

Speaking at the Momase/Highlands consultation on National Censorship Policy III in Lae, Minister Peter said Papua New Guinea is experiencing significant changes in how people communicate, learn and do business.

Expanding mobile connectivity and satellite internet services are creating new opportunities for education, business, healthcare and access to information.

However, he said greater connectivity also brings risks. Children and young people may be exposed to pornography, cyberbullying, online exploitation, misinformation, disinformation and harmful content generated through artificial intelligence.

“The same technology that opens doors to knowledge and opportunity can also expose our children to serious harm,” he said.

He said protecting children is a responsibility of Government and a shared responsibility of families, churches, schools, communities and businesses.

He said as PNG advances its digital transformation, safety, responsibility and the wellbeing of people must remain central.