The National Taskforce to Address Pornography held its second meeting this week, where a pivotal decision was made to draft proposed legislation aimed at prohibiting children aged 17 and under from accessing pornography.
During the meeting, the Ministry for Women, Children, and Social Protection, in partnership with UNFPA chief gender advisor Dr. Leigh-Ashley, showcased a Gender Analysis of the Online Safety Act. Director Children, Arieta Tagivetaua, provided a presentation on illegal activities surrounding the creation, possession, and distribution of child pornography as outlined in the Child Care and Protection Act 2024.
Co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications Manoa Kamikamica, the meeting zeroed in on the urgent concern regarding children’s access to pornography and the negative impact it has on their well-being.
Key discussions involved strategies to limit access to pornographic material among minors and approaches to decrease overall consumption of such content. The task force also featured updates from three specialized working groups dedicated to policy and legislation, survivor support and empowerment, and technological innovations aimed at tackling these issues.
Additionally, participants gained valuable insights from Australia’s efforts in combating pornography, identifying gaps in the current legal framework and the urgency for new policies to tackle this challenge head-on. The meeting reasserted the collective dedication among stakeholders to safeguard children and foster a safer online landscape for everyone.
This initiative is a hopeful step forward in creating protective measures for children, demonstrating a proactive approach to an issue that has far-reaching implications on youth development and safety. The collaboration between various sectors underlines a strong commitment to children’s rights and their protection in the digital era.
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