A primary school student in Nadi has been identified as the youngest victim involved in the trade of nude images and videos for money and other items, according to Alice Fong, the Ministry of Education Divisional Counsellor for the West. Fong made this alarming revelation at a women’s conference held at Gurukul Primary School in Saweni, Lautoka.
During her speech, Fong emphasized the critical role parents play in overseeing their children’s activities, particularly in light of the powerful influence of social media. She pointed out that the challenges parents face today have increased significantly compared to 10-20 years ago.
Fong shared her observations about troubling trends among youth, revealing that an app called Telegram is often used by young individuals to exchange explicit pictures and videos for cash, phone cards, or other items. She recounted a specific case involving a primary school student who was offering herself through this platform.
Another issue highlighted was the tendency of young girls to skip school and engage in what Fong described as “joy rides.” She noted that these students, often in Year 6 and Year 7, were taking bus rides from Nadi to Lautoka instead of attending school.
Fong urged parents to maintain vigilance and engage in conversations with their children about the dangers of such behavior. She reminded them that it is never too late to take action and encouraged parents to be positive role models and instill good values.
In response to these revelations, Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro expressed concern about students engaging in such risky behaviors. He reiterated the importance of parental involvement in a child’s education and well-being, stating that it is the collective responsibility of parents, the community, and the Ministry to ensure a safe environment for children.
Police Assistant Commissioner Sakeo Ganivatu echoed these sentiments, urging parents to become more actively involved in their children’s lives and cautioning against giving them mobile phones. He stressed the importance of engaging with children and being present to guide their development.
Overall, the call to action is clear: parents must prioritize their engagement with their children to prevent such alarming incidents from occurring in the future.