THE absence of a digital parenting culture is the real problem when it comes to protecting children online, says information technology expert Mohammed Nafeez.
He told this newspaper that banning social media for children under 16 in Fiji would likely fail.
“Most social media platforms already say 13-year-old and above,” he said.
“Yet every Fiji parent knows that 10-year-olds are on TikTok, Year 6 students run Instagram pages, Primary school students manage gaming Discord servers.
“A law will not change this. It will only teach children one new skill, that is, how to lie about their birth date.”
Mr Nafeez argued that Fiji cannot legislate its way out of parenting.
“Let’s not pretend legislation can replace guidance. Government can pass laws.
“But it cannot sit beside your child at night and say, ‘Put the phone down now.’ That job is still yours.”
He said conversations between parents and children, digital literacy, and guidance were more effective than bans.
“Instead of bans, we need conversations. Instead of fear, we need guidance.
“Instead of laws, we need literacy.
“Because right now, children have smartphones, parents have no training, and schools avoid digital safety discussions … teach children to swim … don’t drain the ocean.”
