Maseru, May 07 — In efforts to promote safe and responsible internet use among children, teenagers, parents and guardians in Lesotho, Vodacom Lesotho has launched a new Child Online Protection (COP) Page.
In an interview with the Agency on Thursday, the Executive Head of Legal and Compliance at Vodacom Lesotho, Advocate Rethabile Hoohlo said that the initiative comes at a time when children are increasingly exposed to the digital space for learning, entertainment and communication.
She stated that while the internet provides many educational and social opportunities, it also exposes children and young people to risks such as cyberbullying, online predators, exposure to inappropriate content and digital addiction.
Advocate Hoohlo indicated that the newly launched COP Page is designed to equip children and their families with practical knowledge and tools to navigate the online world safely.
She noted that the platform introduces an Online Safety Buddy known as Lebo, a child-friendly guide who helps young users understand the niticritics of Staying Cyber Smart through engaging stories and relatable real-life scenarios.
“The aim is to make online safety education simple, practical and easy for children to understand while also encouraging responsible digital behaviour,” she said.
She further explained that the COP Page covers several key areas including keeping children safe online, addressing risks affecting teenagers such as grooming, sexting and cyberbullying, as well as promoting healthy digital habits within families.
She added that the platform also provides practical safety tips for teenagers such as creating strong passwords, blocking and reporting suspicious users and understanding the importance of consent when interacting online.
She said that parents and educators have not been left behind as the page also offers guidance on the use of monitoring tools, setting household digital rules and encouraging open conversations with children about internet safety.
Advocate Hoohlo further mentioned that Vodacom Lesotho believes that digital inclusion should go hand in hand with digital responsibility and protection, especially for young users who are more vulnerable online.
She thrrrfore encouraged parents, teachers and guardians to actively engage with children about their online experiences and make use of the new platform to strengthen awareness around online safety.
The launch of the Child Online Protection Page forms part of Vodacom Lesotho’s broader commitment to promoting a safer digital environment and empowering communities through technology.
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