61.44% of women faced cyberbullying in Fiji last year

61.44 percent of women and 38.56 percent of men in Fiji faced cyberbullying last year.

This was highlighted by the Acting Commissioner of the Online Safety Commission, Tajeshwari Devi while celebrating Safer Internet Day 2024.

Devi says their mission is to educate Fijians about using digital spaces safely and responsibly and to establish aid and support for individuals facing harmful online communication.

She says the Online Safety Commission has been working hard to combat the rising trend of online abuse where they have noted that 57.58 percent of reported abuse was from Facebook accounts last year, followed by 15.95 percent on apps such as TikTok, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms.

The Acting Commissioner says 29.1 percent of online bullying cases were reported while 10.96 percent were image based abuse.

Devi further says they want to empower individuals to make a difference by promoting responsible online behaviour and managing their influence effectively.

Acting Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica says the internet has become an integral part of our lives, connecting people like never before however, it is also associated with various risks.

Kamikamica says Safer Internet Day is a global phenomenon, reminding everyone of the importance of online safety in the rapidly advancing digital world.

He says it is an occasion where stakeholders come together to address the challenges and risks that arise from our increasing reliance on technology.

Kamikamica says it is essential that we educate ourselves on privacy settings, secure passwords and spot fake news so that people do not get targetted by hackers.

The Acting Prime Minister says we have to unite in making the internet a place of joy, knowledge, and connection while protecting ourselves from potential harm.

The theme for Safer Internet Day 2024 is Building a Digital Future: Nuturing a Safer Place for Children, Empowering Youth, and Guiding Parents in the Online World.

The Online Safety Commission is advising parents with some tips to protect their children online, such as: co-view your child online; set time limits that balance time spent in front of screens with offline activities; check privacy settings on games and apps your child is using; and build an open, trusting relationship around technology.