The insecurity of online systems has led to children becoming vulnerable, abused and abused. International organisations say that this can be considered a worldwide crisis. A robust conversation has been created worldwide about how to ensure the safety of children in digital activities. The measures taken by different countries are different. While some countries have strict laws, others are trying to control the insecurity of digital activity while promoting social ethics. However, under any circumstances, it is observed that managing these conditions has become a difficult task.
A committee to prevent digital crime.
In this regard, a lengthy study has recently been conducted in Sri Lanka. This study has been done by the Presidential Committee appointed to formulate methods for liberating children from violence. Former Chairperson of “Diri Piyasa” Trust Fund and Agromart Outreach Foundation, Advocate A.K. This committee has been appointed under the chairmanship of Mrs. Weeratunga. Dr Manoj Fernando of Rajarata University, Director of Global University Services Canada Mumtaz Faleel, Strategy Specialist Malithi Herath of Politics SLK Institute, Former Principal of Women’s College and Education Specialist Nirmali Wickramasinghe, Dr Dilshani Bogollagama, Child Care Development and Special Needs of Family Health Bureau Asiri Hewamalge, Community Medical Specialist, Shiromi Masakorala, Executive Director of HEMAS Outreach Foundation, Budhini Withana, Senior Technical Advisor of Save the Children, Dr. Ashwini D., Member of Sri Lanka Paediatrics College Council, were present in the program. Fernando and Unicef child protection expert, lawyer and doctor Hemamal Jayawardena also represented the committee.
Children are vulnerable.
To understand the problems related to the subject area and prepare practical recommendations, the relevant committee has conducted 21 discussions and special investigations in the past five months. Accordingly, the number of proposals presented is 21.
A series of recommendations to the government – banning punishment of children.
It is recognised worldwide that social media harms children, causing them to become victims of sexual crimes, using children on pornographic websites, cyberbullying and extortion, and children becoming addicted to playing games for money. The relevant committee says that it is confirmed by the studies conducted in various countries. One of the main recommendations made by the committee is that legislation should be enacted banning corporal punishment for children.
A special court for children.
Taking into account the social, economic and technological changes that have taken place over the past three decades, the Committee on Child Protection has undertaken this study, which points out the existing mechanisms for protecting abandoned, neglected, orphaned or physically or sexually abused children. That is not enough.
A special court should be set up for expeditious trial of court cases related to children. The committee points out that this work should be done very quickly. It is also a recommendation that the committee has made that the National Child Protection Authority should be placed under the President.
It is seen in the series of recommendations that a particular program should be implemented to identify children who are at risk due to the mother’s migration abroad, and steps should be taken to share the reports of the Department of Labour with the National Child Protection Authority.
70% of children in orphanages are from families with poverty.
Special attention has been paid to the socialisation of children over 18 who leave institutions and orphanages. Therefore, steps should be taken to provide training in information technology, languages, financial skills, and professional skills to the children. The committee has also recommended that separate special programs should be prepared. Poverty has been identified as why more children are admitted to orphanages. It has also been found that 70% of the children in those institutions are poverty-stricken. Therefore, the committee has pointed out that the livelihood of such families should be developed.
No sale of drugs and cigarettes around schools – a children’s unit in every police station.
Also, the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs has been identified as harmful factors for the mental and physical well-being of all children in the country, and it is essential to create a generation of children who do not resort to their use. To prevent such situations, a distance of 100 meters from the school should be declared a drug and smoking-free zone. It has been suggested that steps should be taken to establish separate units for children in 602 police stations across the island, and 9 child protection units should be set in all nine provinces.
The report also strongly discusses strategies to improve the physical and mental health of children who have experienced violence, abuse and neglect.
The relevant committee has discussed the importance of successfully reintegrating children in probation homes, detention centres, and government-approved special schools and has pointed out that a rehabilitation process should be started immediately. Children in childcare centres should be successfully socialised with a focus on life skills development and personal safety plans. Preventing and reducing factors that expose children to various forms of violence is the responsibility of the entire society, and implementing a solid mechanism that can fulfil that responsibility is a heavy task assigned to the government. Therefore, the committee appointed to ensure child protection has recommended the President and the government implement these recommendations immediately.
