AN awareness campaign on internet safety in the country has been launched by the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIPF).
A first of its kind here, RSIFP now joins the Cyber Safety Pasifika, an organisation set up and agreed on by Police chiefs in the region in 2011.
The program’s primary goal is to raise awareness to help children, young people and adults to use technology in a safe and responsible manner.
Theme to this program is “Our stories, our cultures, our internet.”
It aims to encourage people across the Pacific to think about how they can use the internet and mobile devices in a more safe and ethical way.
A team from the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) with local police counterparts launched the program yesterday at King George Sixth School.
PICP senior police adviser, Melissa Northam told students of King George Sixth School that the increasing use of internet services is growing in the Pacific, and Solomon Islands is no exception.
Whilst the positive side of it would be useful, it is always wise to be vigilant on how to using it with the right mindset, she said.
Cyber-crime adviser and trainer Melissa Sevil stressed the importance of cyber safety to the students through presentation and emphasised privacy as important when using the internet.
She said it is always important that you think before posting anything up on the internet when using the social networks and other means.
“Be careful of personal details, make friends with those trusted and ensure to make settings of whatever social network your using non-public.”
Ms Sevil added being irresponsible, you are exposing to the world of possible cyber-crimes with just a single click.
“It’s like using a boomerang, whatever you post on internet whether it is good or bad will backfire,” she explained.
The launching marks the beginning of the campaign and will continue on with other schools as the main target age group including those vulnerable.
By BRADFORD THEONOMI
