Tina Amanda
Girls in Rivers state have been urged to be well connected in Information and Communication Technology, but be mindful of the dangers associated with it.
State Acting Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Nnenna Igbokwe, who stated this while commemorating International Girls in ICT Day, at the Holy Rosary College Port Harcourt, said there is a critical need for girls and women to be ICT compliant.
According to her, young girls have to be part of the internet revolution, as jobs of the future will be driven by technology and innovations.
“We all know that the world is moving from analogue to digital a lot of things are been done online today, business services are being accessed online because of the COVID 19 pandemic. People have realized the need to do business operations online.
“As FIDA, we want every girl child and woman to know the importance of been connected to the internet. Technology is playing a role in all kinds of career, many jobs in the future will be operated through the internet, young girls need to be part of that revolution.
“While being connected, they also need to be aware of the dangers associated with using the internet. I believe they are now well informed of what to do and what not to do on the internet.
“They have been taught not to post things that are offensive because what one post online most especially negative things it tells alot about the person, so girls need to be cautious why online.
“We are fully aware of the danger on the internet, so many sexual abuse offences have committed through online, people have been kidnapped, murdered, raped, defrauded. These young girls need to be watchful what they do on the net because they are the most vulnerable”
Also, the Principal of Holy Rosary College Port Harcourt, Veronica Efika, said the Internet is the most effective tools for positive change but it’s rather influencing children negatively.
“The internet is meant for good, but the aspect of the internet these young ones know and access is the part that influences them very negatively. They do not know that through the internet one can be a multi-millionaire genuinely not Yahoo Yahoo.
“They also do not know that through the internet one can acquire more education outside the school, like when on holidays they can browse their subject topics. Internet is a global place, any information you need, you will get.
“The social aspect of internet are exposing children negatively. They have heard from the third party, FIDA who came to lend their voice, I advise them to make good use of the information, it is guidance, direction and it will be of great benefit to them tomorrow”
Some of the student participants thanked FIDA for exposure and ICT knowledge while promising to stick to the positive side of the internet.
