30 Oct, 2024
Kathmandu, October 30, 2024 – Concerns have been raised by stakeholders about the absence of provisions related to child protection in the Social Media Regulation Bill currently under consideration by the Cabinet. During a program organized by the Child as Zone of Peace National Campaign (CZOP) in the capital today in Capital, participants highlighted that children are among the most affected by online issues, yet the bill does not address their specific needs.
Meena Sharma, President of the Child as Zone of Peace National Campaign (CZOP), pointed out that with the growing use of technology, children are increasingly active on social media platforms. However, due to their age, they are unable to differentiate between right and wrong, making them more vulnerable to the misuse of technology, which often leads to child abuse. She emphasized the need for a discussion on the bill from a child rights perspective, stressing the importance of including child protection provisions in the regulation.
During the program, Aananda Raj Khanal, an educator, presented a paper on the Social Media Regulation Bill, critiquing it for its lack of a comprehensive approach. He argued that the bill was drafted without a thorough study of the broader scope of technology use and its technical aspects. Khanal stated that the majority of children in Nepal have access to the internet and mobile phones, making them frequent users of social media. Despite this, the bill fails to address issues related to the abuse and exploitation of children online, and even the term “children” is absent from the draft.
Khanal also highlighted the bill’s shortcomings, calling it incomplete and in need of revision. He noted that the bill appears to have been prepared with the primary focus on limiting citizens’ freedom of expression, rather than safeguarding children’s rights and preventing digital harm.
Senior journalist Tanka Pant shared insights on the dual nature of technology use, explaining that while it brings immense benefits, it can also be misused. He suggested that further effective discussions are needed on the bill to ensure a balanced approach to regulating online platforms without infringing on freedoms.
Maniram Acharya, Program Manager at Asman Nepal, also emphasized the necessity of including measures to protect children from online violence and exploitation in the bill. He stressed that the government must take steps to mitigate the risks that children face in the digital space and ensure that their rights are adequately protected.
In conclusion, the participants at the event urged the government to revise the Social Media Regulation Bill to ensure it provides adequate protection for children online. They called for the inclusion of child safety provisions to safeguard the rights of young users, who are increasingly vulnerable to online threats.
Photo Credit : Kabita Thapa