An updated rewrite of the article:
Assistant Police Commissioner (Crime) Mesake Waqa says Fiji’s youths are among the heaviest internet users, and harassment online is rising due to inappropriate content on social media. Speaking at the Pacific Fiber Conference and Training in Nadi, he noted that many platforms treat young users as adults, underscoring the need for social media sites to build dedicated digital-awareness spaces to shield users from harmful material. Waqa also stressed that artificial intelligence should be developed in ways that uphold human dignity and prevent harm.
He highlighted that social and psychological issues connected to online life are becoming more evident in Fiji, with reported cases of online abuse contributing to mental-health crises, including some victims taking or attempting to take their own lives. On privacy and security, Waqa said balancing privacy with safety is a nationwide concern requiring collaboration between law enforcement and private sector companies, given the sensitivity of private data and the power of tech platforms. He also flagged cross-border online harms as a growing challenge in Fiji, pointing to the difficulty of enforcing laws when jurisdictional cooperation across Pacific borders is limited. The message from Waqa was clear: tackling online harm cannot be done in isolation; it requires sustained partnership among police, platforms, and regional partners to strengthen prevention, detection, and response.
The broader context around these issues includes ongoing calls for stronger legal frameworks to keep pace with digital crime. Observers have argued that current laws, including limitations of online-safety measures and the implementation gaps in child-protection statutes, hinder effective charging and deterrence. Reports have noted a rise in online abuse and scams, with millions of dollars in losses tied to evolving cybercrime. There is also emphasis on cross-border cooperation with international partners to manage content and offenses that originate overseas. In Fiji, the Online Safety Commission has been actively raising awareness and pushing for reforms, including enhanced penalties and clearer enforcement pathways for platform operators and offenders. Funding constraints for public-awareness campaigns and limited prosecutorial powers are recurring themes, along with calls for targeted outreach to rural communities and schools.
Public discussions have also focused on responsible online behavior, with authorities urging people to exercise their freedom of expression thoughtfully and to report abuse promptly. The cross-cutting aim across these efforts is to create a safer digital environment for all Fijians, particularly women, children, and other vulnerable groups, while preserving legitimate access to information and communication technologies. The combination of legal reform, better cross-border cooperation, and robust public education offers a hopeful path toward reducing online harm and strengthening trust in Fiji’s digital landscape.
A hopeful note: the multi-agency approach, combining police, regulatory bodies, and regional partners, signals progress toward a more accountable and safer online space. If reforms are matched with resources and sustained public outreach, Fiji can advance protections for individuals online while keeping digital services accessible and beneficial for all.
Additional comments and value additions:
– This piece benefits from weaving in related trends from regional discussions, such as calls for stronger enforcement powers and cross-border cooperation, to give readers a fuller picture of what is at stake beyond the local incidents.
– Readers may want practical takeaways, including steps for digital literacy, privacy settings on popular platforms, and channels to report online abuse. Consider adding a quick tips box or sidebar in the final publication.
– A follow-up could explore how schools and communities are implementing digital-education programs in local languages to reach more people in villages and settlements.
Summary for editors: The article consolidates Waqa’s remarks on online harms with broader regional concerns about legislative gaps, cross-border challenges, and the need for stronger coordination among law enforcement, platforms, and regulators to create a safer Fiji digital space. It maintains a generally hopeful tone about ongoing reforms and multi-agency collaborations.
Fijian language summary
Na iVolavola i Viti:
E tukuna o ACP Mesake Waqa ni sa lailai tale ga na vuvale ni nodra vakayagataka na internet na watina kei ira na yau kei na leqa ni veivakabobulataki ena social media. E tukuna ki Nadi ena tikina ni Pacific Fiber Conference kei na tubu ni mate ni Digital Awareness e dodonu me caka ni platform na tiko ena dua na ivakarau me valia na itukutuku ca. E tukuna tale ga ni me wati na AI me vakarautaki ena sala ni dodonu me taqomaki na dinaki kei na meca ni tagata. E vakabibitaka ni na levu tale ga na leqa ni vakarau ni tamata, kei na vakasamataki ni e gadrevi me kilai tiko na veivakauqeti ena vuku ni privacy kei na saumi ni lawa kei na veivuke ni veiuvianaki me baleta na veika vakalauka. Na iVolavola oqo e vakamacalataki kina na leqa ni leqa ni online kei na veika e vukei kina na COVID na veika e vauca na bula ni tamata. E kaya tale ga ni na gadrevi me veivanua na veivakararavi me baleta na veika vakaloloma e na rauti tani mai vanua tani me baleta na iyau ni ilavo kei na veika e sotavi ira na noda vanua. E vakabao tale ga ni me rawa ni veiqaravi vata na matanitu, na veitokani ni platform kei na veivakalaiwai ki muri ni vanua me vukea kina na veisau ni ivakatakarakara ni digital life.
Note: This is a best-effort Fijian summary to accompany the English rewrite.
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