By NOEL IYOMBWA
FAKE news and cyber bullying ha\ve become a source of concern for Government, Transport and Communication Minister Mutotwa Kafwaya has said.
He was speaking at the Cyber Hygiene and ZICTA walkathon from Lusaka to Livingstone yesterday.
Mr Kafwaya said that last year alone, the Zambia Information Technology and Communication Authority (ZICTA) received 3, 075 reports regarding online abuse cases.
He said out of the cases received, 615 were on fake news, 551 cyberbullying and 126 were identity theft-related.
Mr. Kafwaya also said 1, 150 cyberbullying cases were received through child helpline 116 managed by Lifeline Zambia.
“We are aware that demographically cyber bullying is more rampant among children and youths, and across genders, more females are statistically bullied, “he said.
And ZICTA Director Patrick Mutimushi noted that there is need to have a safe internet experience for children especially the girl-child.
Mr Mutimushi said ZICTA has introduced interventions to bridge the gender digital divide through the collaborative effort with the Ministry of Gender and UNDP under the GRZ UN programme against gender-based violence phase two.
He disclosed that the phase two include creating awareness about gender-based violence that women and girls suffer online, particularly on social media platforms.
Nine activists have on embarked on an awareness campaign from Lusaka to Livingstone aimed at encouraging responsible use of the cyber space.
Among the nine are Zambia’s first female fighter pilot Captain Thokozile Muwamba and child online ambassador Mwangala Maunga.
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