MTN Group presented the results of its Online Child Safety African Insights study, conducted in collaboration with IPSOS, to legislators, educators, advocacy organizations, and digital safety specialists on Thursday. The event also showcased MTN’s intensified efforts to combat online child abuse and exploitation through its Help Children Be Children (HCBC) project.
Additionally, the event showcased MTN’s efforts to combat online child abuse and exploitation through its Help Children Be Children (HCBC) project.
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Highlights of critical issues South Sudan, Zambian, Nigerian children faced online
The study highlights important issues that children face in the digital sphere and covers South Sudan, Zambia, and Nigeria.
More than 50 percent of young people in Nigeria who participated in a poll said they had been the victims of bullying or harassment online, and many of them chose not to seek assistance out of concern about criticism or repercussions.
Unrestricted access to improper content in South Sudan without proper parental supervision has been associated with increased stress and behavioural problems in children.
Zambian educators and parents emphasised the pressing need for assistance in mastering online safety precautions.
The research also revealed a startling connection between negative mental health effects, such as anxiety and withdrawal in youngsters, and online abuse.
Collective responsibility for safeguarding children online
Nompilo Morafo, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer at MTN Group, highlighted that everyone has a shared obligation to protect children online.
She said, “This research underlines the urgency of equipping children with the skills to protect themselves online while empowering caregivers to create safer digital environments.”
“MTN is steadfast in our commitment to ensure the digital world offers growth and opportunity, free from harm. However, this is a collective responsibility—we cannot do it alone,” she added.
Marcus Hollington, CBA, Associate Director of IPSOS, emphasised that, “The research underscores the urgency of equipping children with the skills they need to protect themselves online while also empowering the adults in their lives to provide effective support,” he said, adding: “Education and peer influence are crucial to fostering safer digital behaviors in these diverse contexts.”
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MTN’s “Help Children Be Children” campaign to address issues raised by the research
The HCBC campaign tackles the main issues raised by the study, emphasising peer advocacy and strengthening the skills of educators and carers.
Through empowering kids, many of whom are subjected to dangerous content and online harassment, MTN hopes to establish a safe online space.
It aims to accomplish this by promoting internet safety in its communities and giving adults the skills and information they need to reduce these dangers.