The World Telecommunication and Information Society day celebrated on 17th May, 2009 is indeed a landmark in the global community's efforts to address the issues related to Information and Communication Technologies world-wide.
This year, the theme selected by ITU "Protecting Children in Cyberspace" is to achieve the goal of safeguarding children from harmful internet content. This year theme is more relevant for us keeping in view of our social and cultural values.
Our children represent the future and being the most vulnerable members of our society require special attention. While internet exploration opens a world of possibilities for children, expanding their horizon and exposing them to different cultures and ways of life, at the same time they can be subjected to dangers as they hit the information highway.
A better strategy would be to instruct children about both the benefits and dangers of cyberspace and to learn how to better protect them in any potential weak situation. Parents, teachers and close associates of children should apprise them of the pros and cons of venturing in cyberspace.
Public-Private stakeholders must join hands to leverage the opportunities and mitigate the threats using all means available including the massive awareness campaigns especially by NGOs and telecom operators/vendors under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Law enforcement agencies have to be more vigilant having close interaction with stakeholders globally in protecting the children in virtual world of cyberspace.
I am confident that our joint efforts in this regard will yield better results for the benefits of our young generation. Our efforts would be further strengthened with the backing of international community, particularly the assistance and guidance of multilateral agencies like ITU in shaping our policies to protect children in cyber space.