A primary school student from a well-known school in Nadi has recently been identified as the youngest victim in a troubling trend involving the trading of nude images and videos for money and other benefits. This alarming revelation was made by Alice Fong, the Ministry of Education’s Divisional Counsellor for the Western region, during a women’s conference hosted by the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji at Gurukul Primary School in Lautoka.
Fong emphasized the need for parents to recognize their responsibilities as children increasingly encounter various influences through their mobile devices. She underscored the critical importance of monitoring children’s activities on social media platforms.
According to Fong, the challenges parents face today have significantly increased compared to 10 or 20 years ago. During her school visits in the Western Division, she observed a disturbing trend involving a social media app called Telegram, where young individuals are offering their photos and videos in exchange for money, phone credit, or even cell phones.
Fong revealed that authorities had to intervene in the case of the youngest victim, a primary student in Nadi who was engaged in these activities. She also expressed concern over instances where young girls are missing school to go on “joy rides” instead.
She called on parents to be vigilant and engage in conversations about the harmful consequences of such actions, stressing that it is never too late to guide children towards positive behavior and instill good values.
Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro echoed Fong’s concerns, remarking that the use of explicit content for monetary exchange is extremely worrying. He reiterated the importance of parental involvement in educating and safeguarding children, highlighting that it is a shared responsibility that extends beyond the Ministry of Education.
Additionally, Assistant Commissioner of Police Sakeo Ganivatu urged parents to take their responsibilities seriously and reconsider providing mobile phones to their children. He noted that many parents neglect to engage with their kids, leading to poor habits that can be difficult to change. Ganivatu emphasized the importance of dedicating time to children, stressing that even short interactions can significantly impact their development and behavior.