Fiji’s Push for Stronger Child Protection Laws: A Digital Safety Revolution?

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica has highlighted the inadequacy of current legislation protecting children from pornography in Fiji, calling for stronger laws that have effective enforcement. During a press conference for the Anti-Pornography Taskforce in Suva, he indicated that while the FijiFirst Government had previously modeled legislation, such as the Online Safety Act, after those of Australia and New Zealand, it is now clear that these laws lack the necessary prosecutorial power to combat these issues effectively.

Kamikamica emphasized the need to develop new legislation swiftly, asserting that the government is reviewing existing laws associated with the Telecommunication Authority of Fiji. This review may result in either new regulations or amendments to existing laws to ensure stronger protective measures. He emphasized the commitment of the Coalition Government to not delay these changes, with plans to introduce them as early as this year.

In related comments, Prit Chand, Chief Executive of the Telecommunication Authority of Fiji, revealed alarming statistics regarding pornography usage in the country. He noted that approximately 1,360 terabytes of data were used for pornography during the last two quarters of the previous year, with around 15 terabytes accessed daily, accounting for close to 1.3 percent of all internet traffic in Fiji. This translates to a significant economic impact, with roughly $130,000 spent quarterly on pornography data.

This initiative to strengthen the legislation surrounding the protection of children from online threats reflects a growing recognition of the need for urgent action in addressing online safety. As the government moves forward, it hopes to establish a robust framework that not only mitigates the access to harmful content but also reinforces the community’s moral and social values.

Overall, the government’s proactive approach to enhancing legislation serves as a hopeful signal for a safer digital environment for the children of Fiji.