Facebook Partners Groups for Safer Internet in Africa
In commemoration of 2017 Safer Internet Day, Facebook in partnership with some African NGOs launched a series of initiatives to help make the information super highway safer particularly for African children and the youth. The theme for this year’s edition was ‘Be the change: unite for a better internet’.
Over 100 countries are participating in an effort to start conversations and help people think about the small steps they can take to stay safe online. The initiative is coordinated by the joint Insafe/INHOPE network, with the support of the European Commission, and national Safer Internet Centres across Europe and beyond.
In Africa, Facebook is working with partners such as: Watoto Watch in Kenya (http://WatotoWatchNetwork.org), the International Center for Leadership Development (http://ICLDNG.org) and the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre in Nigeria (www.W-TecOnline.org), South Africa’s Film and Publication Board (www.FPB.org.za), JOXAfrica Association in Senegal (http://APO.af/5xbshn), Tech Women Zimbabwe (www.TechWomenZim.com) as well as J Initiative (http://JInitiative.org/blog/tag/ghana) and Ghana Internet Safety Foundation (www.GISF.org.gh) from Ghana to ensure the safety and education of their communities and address the needs of vulnerable people.
Speaking on the initiative, Public Policy Manager Facebook, Africa, Akua Gyekye said “Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the people who use Facebook. Every day people come to Facebook to connect with people and issues they care about, and they should be able to do so in a safe, secure environment.”
On the partnership with Facebook, Executive Director at ICLDING Nigeria, Felix Bidemi Iziomoh said the group is pleased with its partnership with Facebook for Safer Internet day to raise awareness and have conversations about staying safe online. “We are proud to play a role in uniting our community for a better internet,” she said.
Facebook is providing financial and marketing support for these groups to raise awareness about online safety. Facebook is also hosting an event in Johannesburg, South Africa and Nairobi, Kenya to promote the importance of online safety to students, teachers, parents and policymakers.
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