Fiji’s Women, Children and Social Protection Minister, Lynda Tabuya, has highlighted a concerning trend: pornography is emerging as a new form of substance abuse in the country. She emphasized that pornography has similar effects on the brain as drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine, necessitating a proactive response to address this issue.
The Fijian Cabinet has approved the establishment of a task force dedicated to examining the harmful impacts of pornography. Minister Tabuya noted that this material is still easily accessible online, which underscores the government’s commitment to tackling the problem head-on.
The new task force will be co-chaired by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection and the Ministry of Communications, which will oversee the relevant online platforms. Tabuya pointed out that political will is essential, as other countries have successfully banned pornography by restricting access to certain sites.
She also mentioned the upcoming arrival of Starlink, a satellite internet service, and the upcoming visit from Elon Musk, which may be an opportunity to further the cause of responsible internet usage. Educating the public about safe social media practices and internet use will form a part of the task force’s objectives.
Additionally, Tabuya raised concerns regarding the use of apps like Telegram, where young girls are reportedly sharing explicit images. She stated that such actions could be classified as a crime if done without parental consent.
The Pornography Taskforce will also investigate broader internet usage trends throughout Fiji. Minister Tabuya believes that a national campaign is necessary to promote awareness of responsible internet use, especially as the nation becomes more interconnected globally.