Cyber-bullying an omnipresent threat
Eighty-seven percent of youths are victims of cyber-bullying, while 60 percent of children are exposed to cyber-risks globally, said speakers at a webinar yesterday.
International School Dhaka and DPS STS School jointly organised the programme on "Safer Internet for Children", facilitated by Grameenphone.
Creating a safer and balanced digital space for children to help them experience only what is suitable was the core theme of the event.
Citing resources, speakers also said that one-third of middle-school students report dealing with cyber-bullying at least once a week to daily. Girls get cyber-bullied three times more than boys.
Due to Covid-19, children have been compelled to use the internet to connect to their education and other activities. To help eliminate possible adverse effects of these web-sessions, Khairul Basher, head of communications at Grameenphone, conducted the webinar, emphasising parental supervision and proper maintenance of digital community standards.
Several hundred parents from the respective schools attended the session.
Addressing the session, Khairul said, "The Internet contains a universe of knowledge and information that helps us to learn and positively develop ourselves. As all physical entities and services are getting digitalised, it's important that our children are able to access these. But this accessibility should be followed by guidance, and this is where teachers, parents, and siblings hold the most important responsibility."
The speakers informed the event that Google Meet saw 3,800 years' worth of time spent in sessions each day. Smartphone and feature-phone usage increased by 70 percent, laptop usage by 40, and desktop usage by 32. Average global broadband consumption increased by 47 percent.
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