Shawdesh Desk: Development activists at a dialogue with media personnel said the mass-media both print and electronics should play their due role to protect the children from repression and harassment caused by various crimes related to online and internet.

Terming the present children as the precious wealth as well as the future leaders of the nation, they observed that they should be protected from all sorts of bad impacts of the modern information and communication technologies.

They came up with the expressions while addressing the dialogue styled “Prevention of Sexual Harassments and Repressions against children through internet and Way Forward” organized by Association for Community Development (ACD), a rights-based development organization, at its conference hall in Rajshahi city.
During his keynote presentation, Ali Hossain, Programme Manager of ACD, narrated the adverse impacts of the repressions and harassment to the life of the affected children emphasising on an effective media role to fight against cyber crimes to protect the young generation.

He noted that a time-fitting code of conduct should be enacted for the internet service providers on an urgent basis.

Taking part in the discussion the journalists unanimously mentioned cybercrimes expanded sharply due to rapid advancement of Information and Communication Technology.

They underscored the need for taking preventive measures against those involved in cybercrimes to rein the growing menace.

Voices should be raised among people about cyber crimes, related laws and punishment. Relevant professionals, experts and the mass media could play a responsible role in this regard.

They described the internet as one of the most technological advancements in the modern world and said it has significantly made a noteworthy contribution in ICT sector.
Besides, they stressed the need for developing a strong monitoring of the social media mechanism to combat cybercrimes.

ACD Advocacy Officer Shariful Islam Shamim, Monitoring Officer Ruhul Amin and Programme Officer Anwar Hossain also spoke on the occasion disseminating their expertise on the issue.