The Executive Director of Targeted Rights Initiative, Ms. Doreen Raheena Sulleyman, calls on parents to take a stronger role in guiding and monitoring their children’s online activities during the Digital Policy Engagement Series organized by Paradigm Initiative at the Accra City Hotel to address emerging issues within the digital space.
Targeted Rights Initiative Urges Parents to Play Active Role in Children’s Online Lives
According to her, “parents should be a part of their children’s digital life,” emphasizing that the growing exposure of children to online content demands closer supervision.
Targeted rights initiative urges parents to play active role in children’s online lives – Ms. Doreen Raheena Sulleyman
The stakeholder engagement centered on Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) and brought together organizations including Targeted Rights Initiative, FactSpace West Africa, Ace Legal Consult and others. Held under the theme “Upholding Justice in the Digital Age: Strengthening Judicial and Human Rights Capacity on Digital Rights and Internet Governance,” the discussions explored the intersections of cybersecurity, human rights governance and information integrity. Participants examined how digital policies can better safeguard vulnerable populations especially minors within the fast-evolving online environment.
Child online safety emerged as one of the most pressing issues, with experts highlighting the risks of sexual exploitation, sextortion, cyberbullying and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. Speakers stressed that children remain highly vulnerable to such online harms, making parental presence and engagement essential. Parents and guardians, they noted, must work to build open communication with their children so that young people feel comfortable discussing their online experiences
Ms. Doreen Raheena Sulleyman
Parents must understand some basic literacy skills says Ms. Doreen Raheena Sulleyman
Ms. Sulleyman urged parents to equip themselves with basic digital literacy skills to better protect their children. She explained that “parents must understand some basic digital literacy, example, the privacy settings, Google Family link for Android and Apple Screen Time for IOS users, Seif app for their kids, reporting mechanisms and cybersecurity.” By gaining familiarity with these tools, she said, parents can more effectively safeguard their children against online threats while guiding them toward responsible digital behavior.
It is important that parents create g-mail or e-mail addresses with their children’s actual date of birth to sign in on their devices so that google can suggested age appropriate contents for their wards said Ms. Raheena Sulleyman.
Adding to the conversation, Paradigm Initiative’s Executive Director, Mr. ‘Gbenga Sesan, cautioned that “without strong privacy and free expression cybersecurity will be abused,” highlighting the ongoing tension between digital security and fundamental rights.
Proposed Cybersecurity Amendment Seeks Tougher Penalties for Cybercrime
The forum also noted that the proposed Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill, 2025 seeks to expand the investigative and prosecutorial powers of the Cyber Security Authority, introducing potential penalties of not less than ten years imprisonment for certain harmful online posts. The discussions underscored the need for balanced, human rights centered digital governance as the country strengthens its cybersecurity framework.
Photo: Members of Targeted Rights Initiative
