Moscow:Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam emphasized the need for global cooperation, joint stakeholder initiatives, and the exchange of international best practices to ensure children's safety in the digital environment.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Faqir Mahbub Anam, who also serves as the Science and Technology Minister, highlighted these points while delivering Bangladesh's statement at the Business IT Breakfast titled 'Digital Childhood Without Borders: Best International Practices for Child Safety Online' in Moscow. He expressed gratitude on behalf of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to the Global Digital Forum and the Alliance for the Protection of Children in the Digital Environment for their initiative.
The minister pointed out that Bangladesh's rapid digital transformation offers educational and developmental opportunities for children while also exposing them to new risks. He called for the collective responsibility of governments, online platforms, technology companies, civil society, parents, and teachers to ensure children's digital safety. He also noted Bangladesh's efforts to strengthen digital protection laws, such as the Cyber Security Act, to protect children from online exploitation, though he acknowledged that laws alone are insufficient without international collaboration.
He congratulated the Russian Federation on its initiative to review the Draft Joint Statement and Terms of Reference of the Global Alliance to Protect Children in the Digital Environment. The proposed document, he stated, presents a child rights-based framework aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Anam expressed Bangladesh's support for prioritizing children's interests and stressed the importance of fair representation of diverse geographical regions, including Asia-Pacific, in multilateral frameworks to address the needs of developing countries. He welcomed proposals for a Digital Childhood Safety Index and a platform for research and best practice exchanges.
Increasing digital literacy among children, parents, and teachers was also highlighted as crucial. Building awareness in line with technological advancements, including AI, can help establish mechanisms to prevent online harm. Bangladesh is committed to working with the Alliance to protect children from digital threats, such as bullying and data theft.
Representatives from over 100 countries attended the forum, underscoring the global nature of these efforts. Anam concluded that the collective initiative is an investment in future generations, aiming for a digital future that is not only connected but also safe and inclusive for children.