Moscow:Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam of Bangladesh's Ministries for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and Science and Technology, emphasized the need for stronger global cooperation to ensure children's safety in the digital environment.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister made this call at the Business IT Breakfast titled "Digital Childhood Without Borders Best International Practices for Child Safety Online," held in Moscow. He conveyed, on behalf of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, appreciation to the Global Digital Forum and the Alliance for the Protection of Children in the Digital Environment for their efforts in this area.
Faqir Mahbub highlighted Bangladesh's rapid digital transformation, which offers educational and developmental benefits to children while also exposing them to new online risks. He stressed that ensuring children's digital safety requires a collective effort involving governments, online platforms, technology companies, and civil society.
Under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership, Bangladesh is working to strengthen digital protection laws, including the Cyber Security Act, to safeguard children's data and prevent exploitation. However, the minister noted that legislation alone is insufficient, and international collaboration is crucial for sharing effective solutions.
He congratulated the Russian Federation on proposing a Global Alliance to Protect Children in the Digital Environment, which aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Bangladesh supports the initiative's principles, emphasizing the child's best interests, shared responsibility among stakeholders, and international cooperation.
Faqir Mahbub underscored the importance of a multilateral stakeholder framework that represents diverse geographical regions. Such a framework would reflect the experiences of developing countries like Bangladesh in global strategies. Bangladesh welcomes the proposal for a Digital Childhood Safety Index and a platform for research and best practice exchange.
Enhancing digital literacy among children, parents, and teachers is crucial, according to the minister. He stated that awareness and knowledge of advancing technologies, including artificial intelligence, could help prevent online harms. Bangladesh remains committed to protecting children from digital threats like bullying and data theft.
The minister expressed Bangladesh's readiness to collaborate with all stakeholders to create a safe, inclusive digital future for children worldwide. This initiative is seen as an investment in future generations, aiming for a digital world that is both connected and child-friendly. The international forum saw participation from representatives of over 100 countries.