A primary school student from a well-known institution in Nadi has been identified as the youngest victim involved in the trade of explicit images and videos in exchange for money and other benefits. This alarming revelation was made by Alice Fong, Divisional Counsellor for the Ministry of Education in the West, during a women’s conference organized by the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji at Gurukul Primary School in Lautoka.
Ms. Fong underscored the need for parents to fulfill their responsibilities, especially as children are increasingly influenced by what they encounter on mobile devices. She stressed the importance of consistently monitoring children’s activities on social media platforms.
Observing a significant rise in challenges faced by parents over the past two decades, Ms. Fong shared insights from her visits to schools in the Western Division. She highlighted a growing trend where young individuals, particularly girls and boys, post their photos and videos on a social media platform called Telegram in exchange for favors, cash, or items like mobile phone recharge cards.
Ms. Fong noted, “The youngest victim I encountered was a primary school student who was offering herself,” before adding that intervention from the ministry and police was necessary in this case.
Additionally, she reported that many young girls are skipping school for what they refer to as “joy rides,” with some traveling from Nadi to Lautoka instead of attending class, particularly among Year 6 and Year 7 students. She implored parents to remain vigilant and engage in conversations with their children about the potential dangers of such behaviors.
Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro expressed serious concern over the situation, emphasizing that the use of explicit images by students for money and other incentives is deeply troubling. He reiterated to parents the importance of their role in educating and keeping their children safe, stating that the responsibility extends beyond the Ministry of Education to the entire community.
He remarked that education has changed significantly over the past two decades, presenting new challenges for educators, such as the influence of mobile phones. Mr. Radrodro called on parents and guardians to ensure their children arrive at school with the right mindset.
In a previous interview, Assistant Commissioner of Police Sakeo Ganivatu urged parents to reassess their responsibilities and reconsider providing mobile phones to their children. He highlighted the necessity of engaging with youth and noted that parents often neglect their children’s needs while participating in their own social activities.
ACP Ganivatu emphasized the crucial development phase from birth to six years of age and warned that by the time parents recognize the need to modify their children’s behavior, it may already be too late. He advised that even small, dedicated moments with children can have a significant positive impact, urging parents to invest time to nurture and guide their children.