The Malawi Computer Emergency Response Team (MwCERT) recently held a workshop in Liwonde as part of a Train the Trainers programme for teachers from the South-East Education Division.
The initiative seeks to provide educators with skills to safeguard children against cyber bullying and online exploitation.
During the event, Peter Mwale, chief economist at the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability, and Social Welfare, emphasised the importance of taking quick and practical steps to protect children online.
He emphasised that, while internet platforms provide tremendous opportunities for learning and engagement, they also pose considerable risks to young users if not monitored.
Mwale emphasised the necessity of communal responsibility in tackling online risks to children, saying: "A single institutions cannot address online challenges alone. It requires deep collaboration among government, regulators, parents, schools, communities, and the children themselves.”
He further warned that digital abuse spreads rapidly, explaining that harmful content can be shared with thousands of people within seconds, often causing long-term emotional and psychological harm to victims.
Meanwhile, Dr. Charles Fodya, the head of MwCERT, told journalists that significant progress has been made in implementing technical and social safety measures.
He emphasised that encouraging early reporting of cyber events has been a significant milestone in child online safety efforts.
Fodya said, "We have worked to ensure that victims of cyberbullying and online exploitation know exactly where to turn for help.By encouraging children to report incidents without fear or stigma, we can ensure a swift and effective response to these digital threats.”
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