STATEMENT FROM THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS ON SAFER INTERNET DAY 2021

Fiji missed the first wave of the internet revolution. But thanks to a decade of strategic investments in our ICT infrastructure, mobile data is now accessible nearly everywhere in the country and more affordable than it has ever been.

Some of Fiji’s most remote maritime and rural pockets are connected with the rest of the nation and the wider world. In times of disaster, access to the internet has allowed critical messages to reach communities in the path of cyclones. During Fiji’s COVID-19 outbreak, it served as one of our best tools for getting information to Fijians quickly, thereby enabling us to stop the spread of the virus. Every day, it connects Fijians around topics and shared interests that matter to them. And social media, in particular, has become a powerful platform for Fiji’s international climate action advocacy. I’m on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, myself, where you can connect with me @FijiAG

But as we move more of our lives online, we should consider how these platforms can impact the way we interact with our fellow citizens. I know we have all seen content that may disturb us; children can be bullied, vulnerable Fijians can be exploited, and fake profiles and news can mislead well-intentioned people. For young people, especially, the social pressure and expectations created by social media can cause them serious emotional harm. 

So, this Safer Internet Day, let’s all consider how we can give our Bula Spirit a digital update. One simple way is by reporting abusive content to our Online Safety Commission. If you see content you believe crosses the line, send the OSC a message on their website or Facebook page, @oscFiji. You may not be the one affected, but someone out there is being hurt, and you can be the one who helps protect them from abuse online. And given the outsized harm suffered by young Fijians, we especially urge parents to limit their children’s screen time and speak with them about how to use these platforms responsibly. You can find educational resources on the OSC’s website: https://onlinesafetycommission.com

In the meantime, we should all continue to use online spaces to drive the sort of positive and productive engagement that makes for a more connected and  informed society. Speaking of which, we’ll soon be hosting online consultations for our National Budget as well as Budget Chat Forums where Fijians can engage with their government and speak with us directly about the strategy behind our economic recovery and the policies of our upcoming national budget.

Stay safe!