BEIRUT: The Higher Council for Childhood renewed its calls for children to be protected from cyber exploitation in a workshop held Monday at the Rotana Hotel.
The workshop was the result of collaboration between Save the Children and the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
“There are thousands of pictures circulating on the Internet that are considered a violation of a child’s childhood,” said Guillermo Galarza Abizaid, ICMEC’s program director.
He stressed that the authorities, including the government and any organizations tackling human rights issues, should assist in implementing new rules that protect children from cyber abuse: “The responsibility falls on the civil society and security authorities to address the abuse of children through the Internet.”
His comments were echoed by council Secretary-General Rita Karam. “The council’s mission, work and importance [is a result] of the integration with the private sector and security services,” she said.
The representative of Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas, Fahmi Karami, explained that with the new technological and educational advancements and the wide availability of portable computers, tablets and smartphones, the Internet had become a vital tool for children.
“With the vastness of the Internet network, the lack of restrictions and the difficulty of prevention, problematic dangers have surfaced,” he said. “The most important problems are those affecting the physical and psychological safety of children.”
According to Karami, this is what had prompted the ministry to take measures through the council in the hope of preventing further abuse.
He urged support and cooperation between the government, local and international civil societies and experts to ensure a strong nation that provided its young with a safe childhood.
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