It is encouraging to know that the Fiji Law Reform Commission has begun a full review of the Online Safety Act. This, we learn, comes following approval of the Terms of Reference by the Attorney-General.
Online Safety Commissioner Filipe Batiwale said the review was a critical step in strengthening our digital safety laws.
He acknowledged the need to modernise legislation, which he said, must reflect the rapidly evolving digital environment.
We also learn that the Online Safety Commission (OSC) is pushing for expanded legal provisions that increase platform accountability and close existing legal gaps that leave users – particularly women and children – exposed to online harm.
Now the commission wants parents, caregivers and community leaders to be active in keeping children safe online.
Online safety, it says, starts at home. Conversations about respectful and safe digital behaviour, it says, must happen within families and communities.
According to Mr Batiwale, what young people see and experience offline often shapes how they behave online.
In saying that, the OSC believes the fight against online harm is a shared responsibility. It believes all Fijians – including those in rural and maritime areas – should be part of building a safer digital space.
Safeguarding our children, it says, is a collective responsibility.
It says anyone who is interested in contributing to the law reform process is encouraged to engage through the Fiji Law Reform Commission or their elected members of Parliament.
It makes sense that any effort to protect people online would be welcomed.
We now look up to the commission to be more active in attending to online abuse.
There has to be some semblance of order, and response to online abuse.
We hope processes and systems are in place that will be able to identify and effectively deal with fake profiles for instance, who attack and spew venom on various digital platforms.
The Fiji Times has not been immune to the troubles and intricacies of the digital world. We are no strangers to the dark side of the digital world! Our platforms have been targeted by those who want to push their agenda.
While there are ways and means of dealing with them via options set out by the various sites, it is slow, and most times, the perpetrators are not effectively held to account.
The question remains on what can be done to those who hide behind fake profiles spreading misinformation and harm?
They are bold enough to cross the line, misinforming the masses, hiding behind anonymity! They are bold enough to attack and abuse others online, ignoring the hurt they cause victims. They distort public perception and inflict emotional trauma.
We look up to those tasked to police this, to be vigilant, and to be proactive!
Protecting people online must be a collective mission!
