Protect youth from the dark side of internet

DAR ES SALAAM: THE internet has made the world smaller, information faster and communication easier. Today, a young person with a smartphone can access knowledge from across the globe without leaving the comfort of home.

Unfortunately, the same device that opens doors to opportunity can also become a gateway to misinformation, cybercrime, exploitation and destructive behaviour.

Clearly, connecting people is one thing; teaching them how to use that connection responsibly is another. Social media platforms have become powerful tools for education, business, innovation, entertainment and public engagement.

They allow young people to exchange ideas, develop talents, discover opportunities and participate in discussions that shape society.

However, these benefits can easily be undermined when users mistake digital freedom for permission to behave irresponsibly. The growing misuse of social media deserves serious attention from the government and all stakeholders.

Cyberbullying, online harassment, identity theft, fraudulent schemes, misinformation and the circulation of harmful content are among the dangers that demand public awareness.

Equally concerning is the tendency among some young users to measure personal worth through likes, followers and online approval, sometimes at the expense of their education, relationships and mental wellbeing.

This calls for a deliberate investment in digital literacy, particularly among children and young people. Access to smartphones and internet services should go hand in hand with knowledge of online safety, privacy protection, critical thinking and responsible communication.

Young users must understand that information encountered online is not automatically accurate, while sharing unverified content can cause real harm.

The government has an important responsibility to strengthen public education through schools, community programmes and national awareness campaigns.

Digital literacy should become an essential component of education, equipping learners with practical skills to identify misinformation, recognise online scams and protect personal information.

Parents, teachers, religious institutions, civil society organisations and technology companies must equally contribute.

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Parents should guide children’s online activities, while teachers should help learners distinguish credible information from misleading material.

Technology companies should strengthen safeguards, promote reporting mechanisms and respond promptly to harmful content.

Importantly, responsible internet use should not be confused with restricting freedom of expression. Rather, it means exercising that freedom with respect, accountability and awareness of consequences.

Tanzania must build a digitally informed generation that uses technology to learn, innovate, create employment and contribute to national development.

The internet is a powerful resource; whether it becomes an instrument of progress or destruction depends largely on how society uses it.