Use of social media has caused abuse and online harassment to the extent that some have lost their lives – Cyber Safety Advocate

The wide use of social media has caused abuse and online harassment to the extent that some people have lost their lives due to the trauma.

This was highlighted by the Ministry of Home Affairs cyber safety advocate, Savenaca Siwatibau during fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan on the issue of the increase in technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

Siwatibau says the first case they had received was based on pornography where senior university members were exploiting students for their sexual needs.

He says in 2006, there were fewer technologies available in Fiji and after the introduction of social media, such issues have continued to increase.

He says online crimes began to affect people’s mental health while the limitation of technology devices in homes has caused strenuous relationships in some homes.

He further says that as technology grows it also has growing impacts on the lives of individuals and this is something Fiji is going through with other developed nations.

Siwatibau adds that the nation is lucky to have strong advocates on gender-based and technology-based violence such as Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and Online Safety Commission.

The Cyber Advocate also said that are vocal about the ongoing abuse people of Fiji face with the different platforms they have.