The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has warned that it will clamp down on those found abusing children online.
Macra Broadcasting Services Manager Matilda Kanjeri said this during a child online protection training of trainers held in Mzuzu Wednesday.
“Children are supposed to be protected from online risks and harm if the country is to mould future responsible citizens.
“However, we have observed that some children who have access to the internet are being exposed to some harmful information, such that it is our duty to protect them,” she said.
Kanjeri said Malawi is taking action in protecting children from online abuse following the validation of the Child Online Protection Strategy which was developed with technical support from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations arm responsible for telecommunications.
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ITU Senior Coordinator Carla Licciardello said they are working with Macra to train educators after it was observed that children are closer to being leaders in a society than their parents.
Northern Region Community Policing Coordinator Alexander Ngwala said using the Electronic Transaction and Cyber Security Act, the police are now following up on all cases related to online abuse of children.
“This is based on the need to protect children from abuse. We all have a role to play,” he said.
