A recent report has highlighted a disturbing trend involving the trading of explicit images and videos among students, with the youngest identified victim being a primary school student in Nadi. The revelation came from Alice Fong, a Divisional Counsellor from the Ministry of Education, during a women’s conference organized by the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji at Gurukul Primary School in Lautoka.
Fong emphasized the critical role parents play in protecting their children from the influences of social media and urged them to consistently monitor their children’s online activities. She noted that the challenges parents face today have significantly increased compared to the past two decades.
During her school visits in the Western Division, she encountered troubling cases, including young children using a social media app called Telegram to exchange explicit content for cash, recharge cards, or even new phones. In one case, a primary school student was involved in this trade, prompting intervention from the ministry and the police.
Fong also raised concerns about young girls absconding from school, noting incidents where primary students opted for “joy rides” instead of attending classes. She urged parents to engage in conversations with their children about the dangers of such behaviors and to set a positive example.
In response to this alarming situation, Education Minister Aseri Radrodro expressed his worry about students engaging in these practices. He reiterated the importance of parental involvement in a child’s education and well-being, emphasizing that ensuring a child’s safety and education is a collective responsibility that extends beyond the ministry.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Sakeo Ganivatu echoed these sentiments, urging parents to be more engaged with their children and reconsider the provision of mobile phones to them. He highlighted that neglecting this responsibility can lead to detrimental behaviors in children, noting that quality time spent with children is crucial for their development and success.
Both officials stressed the immediate need for parents to take responsibility for their children’s upbringing and foster an environment that discourages harmful behaviors.