Day of the African Child 2023
Let’s protect children from social networks
"Let's say no to violence, abuse and all forms of exploitation, let's protect our children". This is the message launched today by the Minister of Social Affairs, Mrs Pauline Irène NGUENE, on the occasion of the commemoration of the 33rd edition of the Day of the African Child (DAAC), placed under the theme: "The rights of the child in the digital environment".
The ceremony, which took place at the esplanade of Yaoundé 1 city hall, was attended not only by the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Marie Thérèse ABENA ONDOUA, but also by children's rights activists and children themselves. They spoke out against the impact of social networks on children. In his welcome address, the mayor of the Yaoundé 1 city council, Jean Marie ABOUNA, dwelt on the statistics for May 2022, which show that out of the 590 million internet users in the world, 1/3 are children. These statistics call on governments to control the contents offered to children. It was the same cry of distress as concerns children’s vulnerability to the predators of social networks that former junior MP NGANKOU Marie Daniele, speaking on behalf of her peers, put in these terms: "We expect you to protect us in every area of our lives". She called on parents to play their role in order to avoid changing children into cold monsters and homes into shelters. The ceremony ended with the signing of the child protection charter by members of the government. The next activity of the Cameroon Children's Month will be the 24th session of the Children's Parliament on June 26.
