PHNOM PENH, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Thursday launched guidelines on online child protection to ensure a safe and positive online experience for all children.
Undertaken by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, with support from the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the guidelines aim to encourage industries within the sector to prevent and respond to current and emerging harms posed by the use of technology in a timely manner.
"Children are spending more time online than ever before. Growing up online offers limitless opportunities. But with this come serious risks," said UNICEF Cambodia Representative Will Parks.
"Cyberbullying and other forms of peer-to-peer violence can affect young people each time they log in to social media or instant messaging platforms. Most alarming is the threat of online sexual exploitation and abuse," he said.
Recent findings from UNICEF's global "Cambodia Disrupting Harm" report confirmed this trend with more than one in 10 Cambodian children aged 12 to 17 years experiencing some form of online sexual exploitation or abuse.
"Such guidelines reaffirm the commitment of the royal government of Cambodia and partners to take up a clear stance on the protection of children from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse in Cambodia," said Chea Vandeth, minister of Post and Telecommunications.
The guidelines provide unparalleled opportunities for digital technology industry members including social media, Internet service providers, mobile operators, data hosting companies, content creators and producers, and software and app developers to enhance the online safety of every child and young person in accordance with children's rights and the highest ethical standards, he said.
