The Royal Solomon Islands Police is joining the Cyber Safety Pasifika taking on board cyber related crimes and are pushing on awareness to schools in the country as primary targets.
Cyber Safety Pasifika is an initiative designed to help children, young people and adults to use technology in a safe and responsible manner that was agreed on during a regional police chief’s conference.
By promoting the ethical use of technology across the Pacific region through awareness program that starts on the 19th – 25th May 2014.
With the theme “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.
Police boss, Ms Juanita Matanga said it’s an emerging crime for Solomon Islands and is likely going to happen.
“Solomon Islands is merging into technology world like internet on mobiles but we are not aware of the risks associated to it.
“Though too early, this is of great concern and is an important thing for the country,” she said.
Matanga said official launching of the program will be on Tuesday next week and police will ensure awareness will continue.
“Awareness programs will follow suit to inform the public of the impacts when accessing internet, this will also be helpful to police on identifying ways to investigate such crimes.
“And if the need to review the current laws arises, we will push to ensure a review of the legislation be done,” said Matanga.
She said currently there is very little police can do, but the good thing is cyber related crimes are not so serious yet in the country.
Thus police is making use of this timeframe to ensure the public are aware, she said.
Matanga added similar programs have been done in other pacific island countries and its now Solomon Islands turn.
She also urged the public to attend the launching on Tuesday next and get information on cyber related crimes.
Especially school students and youths who are into internet on mobiles and computers but lack knowledge on related risks attached.
By Bradford Theonomi
