A primary school student from a well-known school in Nadi has recently been identified as the youngest victim of a troubling trend in which young individuals trade nude images and videos for money and other benefits. This alarming situation was highlighted by Alice Fong, the Ministry of Education Divisional Counsellor for the West, during a women’s conference held at Gurukul Primary School in Lautoka.
Fong emphasized the need for parents to understand their responsibilities as children increasingly find themselves influenced by the content they encounter on their mobile devices. She stressed the importance of closely monitoring children’s social media activities, noting that the challenges parents face today are significantly greater than they were two decades ago.
During her school visits in the Western Division, Fong encountered a concerning social media application known as Telegram, where young boys and girls share explicit images and videos in exchange for monetary rewards, prepaid phone cards, and even new phones. She cited the instance of a young primary school student in Nadi who had engaged in such activities, prompting intervention from the ministry and police.
Additionally, Fong reported that many young girls are not attending school as they should, instead opting for unapproved excursions. She called on parents to remain vigilant and discuss the potential dangers of such behavior with their children. The message was clear: proactive engagement and modeling good behavior are essential.
Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro expressed his concern regarding this issue, highlighting the deeper implications of students exchanging explicit images for money. He reiterated that education is a collective responsibility, urging parents to engage actively in preparing their children for the challenges they face today.
In a prior statement, Assistant Commissioner of Police Sakeo Ganivatu urged parents to take their responsibilities seriously, advising against providing mobile phones to young children. He noted the importance of actively engaging with children, asserting that neglecting this aspect of their upbringing may lead to detrimental habits. He insisted that even small amounts of dedicated time spent with children can significantly impact their development.
Overall, the messages from education and police officials underline the critical role of parental involvement in safeguarding children’s well-being in a rapidly changing environment.