Calls for parents to watch children's safety on internet

Discussants at a programme on internet safety have urged the parents and guardians to keep an eye on children's online activities.

The young people have been asked to consult relatives or close ones if confronted suicidal game 'Blue Whale' or any difficult situation online.

The programme titled 'Social Media Parade: Step Up for Good' was organised at the Software Technology Park in Dhaka's Karwan Bazar with the slogan 'Let's Make Internet Safer and Better for All' on Monday evening.

Photo: asif mahmud ove

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak called for raising awareness among the guardians. "You, who are connected to the internet, must keep an eye on your children to see what they are doing online. Otherwise, there will be great danger."  

"The children must be kept away from the addiction to internet and games."

He advised the parents to be closer to their teenage children, because they go through certain mental and physical changes during this period.

The state minister told the internet users at the programme: "If you face any difficult situation on the social media, please contact your relatives or someone else."

He advised them to get in touch with experts at regulators BTRC or Maya Apa if they see any abnormal post. Maya Apa is a technology company that provides expert advice on health, psychosocial and legal issues online.

Palak added that the ICT Division was also taking measures to provide similar supports.

Photo: asif mahmud ove

About the suicidal online game 'Blue Whale', much discussed recently after the death of a schoolgirl for playing the game was reported, BTRC Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood said the regulators were acting to stop the game from being played in Bangladesh.

He pointed out that the BTRC has asked all to contact it by dialling 2872 to provide information on the game.

State Minister Palak said fibre optical lines would reach union level by 2018, and urged all to make the most of the productivity that the internet offers.

He said a 'cyber security expert pool' would be launched for internet safety.

The government targets to train 1,000 cyber security experts within three to four years, according to Palak.

He also spoke about efforts to make the next generation more innovative.

"We will guide them through Innovation and Entrepreneurship Academy or IDEA and Sheikh Russell Digital Lab," he said.

bdnews24.com Head of Current Affairs and Editorial Policy Coordinator Gazi Nasiruddin Ahmed, Maya Apa founding CEO Ivy Huq Russell, Onward Counselling Service founder Nasim Jan Sajid, clinical psychologist Rubina Jahan Rumi, the head of training and research at Kan Pete Roi, also joined the programme moderated by Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority consultant Munir Hasan.

bdnews24.com was a media partner of the programme and broadcast it live.