Online Child Protection in Ghana: How to Protect Your Child Online

We are in a digital age where accessing the internet is unprecedentedly easy, even for children. This group of people, at their young age, can use the internet to boost their learning experience, acquire digital skills, and foster innovation.

However, accessing the internet poses inherent risks to them which not taken care of, can affect them emotionally and psychologically with the worst scenario of committing suicide.

This article will educate you on online child protection in Ghana, what the law says and practical ways to safeguard your child’s online presence.

A 2017 research on child online activities in Ghana by UNICEF shows that:

• 2 out of 10 children between the ages of nine (9) and seventeen (17) have received sexual messages in words, pictures, or videos through social network sites.
• 4 out of 10 children have seen sexual images online.
• 2 out of 10 children have met someone face to face that they became familiar with on the internet.
• 4 out of 10 children do not feel safe on the internet.
• 5 out of 10 children have had upsetting experiences while online.

Risks children could face online

Children are vulnerable on the internet and they may be victims of any of the common cyberattacks in Ghana. But in the context of child protection, below are some of the threats children may face on the internet:

1. Exposure to Inappropriate Content: Children may encounter materials that are not suitable for their age, such as pornography, violent imagery, hate speech, or drug-related content. Such exposure can harm their emotional well-being and influence their behavior negatively.

2. Harassment: This involves persistent unwanted interactions, such as sending offensive messages, threats, or stalking. Harassment can occur on social media, gaming platforms, or through messaging apps, leading to stress and anxiety.

3. Cyberbullying: This is a form of bullying that occurs online and includes actions like spreading rumors, sharing embarrassing content, or making hurtful comments. It can damage a child’s self-esteem and mental health.

4. Online Predators: Predators use the internet to exploit children emotionally or sexually, often by pretending to be someone they trust. This grooming process may lead to dangerous real-world encounters or exploitation.
5. Invasion of privacy: Children may unknowingly share personal information (e.g., location, photos, or passwords), which can lead to identity theft, stalking, or misuse of their data.

Government Efforts

The Cybersecurity Authority of Ghana (CSA) has shown strong passion and desire in protecting its citizens while they navigate the digital space. This is evident in the launching of the national cybersecurity policy and strategy, which aims to address cybercrime in the country.

In the context of child online protection, the authority launched a national child online protection framework to guide the campaign of ensuring children are safe online.

Also, the Cybersecurity Act 2020 (Act 1038) prioritizes children’s online safety by indicating certain actions as offensive and punishable. For example, it is prohibited to use the services of computers and the internet to seduce, solicit, lure, groom or entice, or attempt to seduce, solicit, lure, groom or entice, a child. If someone breaks this law, they can be imprisoned for 5 to 15 years if found guilty.

How parents can protect their children online

1. Monitor online activities: Parents should constantly monitor the online activities of children such as what they post, who/what they follow, who follows them, what they like and share etc. Having awareness of these actions will help you intervene to protect their privacy and well-being.

2. Allow age-appropriate apps: You can’t do away with applications. It’s almost impossible but you can control which ones to use. Allow age-appropriate apps that you know will serve your children right. For example, to limit search results, you can install a kid’s browser for your children.

3. Use parental controls: Learn how to use parental controls to manage and monitor your child’s online presence. They are tools that give parents the administrative right to block inappropriate content, restrict children’s screen time, and monitor all actions. Some devices/apps come with them pre-installed however, you can opt for a third-party service.

4. Educate them: Educating your children on what they should post, why certain content isn’t good for them, and who or what they should follow establishes a strong reason in their minds. Just restricting their access without the rationale behind may spark their curiosity and eventually lead them to find answers elsewhere. 

Ensuring children’s internet safety is a shared responsibility between parents, society and the government. The CSA has created an environment that frowns on the exploitation of children’s online presence. Society and parents have to exercise their responsibility to ensure children are protected while navigating the internet.