TEENS FACE A GROWING THREAT OF ‘SEXTORTION’

patrick.soko.31@facebook.com

 

WITH The advancements of information communication technologies Teens Face a Growing Threat of ‘Sextortion’ through access to internet facilities such as mobile phones and computers.

One of the most egregious examples of sextortion is the case of someone pretends to be a teenage boy on social media and got hundreds of girls to strip live during video chats. 

Then secretly records his victims and then threatened to send the videos to their family and friends unless they provided more naked videos or photos.

  

 Accessibility to smart phones and internet services has become easier than ever before and it is true that it comes not without any challenges.
 

Young people spend more time online than reading books or simply having family times.

research shows that young people mostly girls are prone to Sexting which is the act of the sending each other sexually inclined massages which make them even easier targets for sextortion.

I engaged young people on what they understand about this subject.

From their views it is clear that they might be have been prone to these to online risks unknowingly but still they have a call to make.

floyed Chanda information communication technology educator from libala high in Lusaka says learning institution have role play.

Lifeline-child line Zambia communication and outreach manager Timeo Phiri says the institution is strategically placed to spearhead child online safety.  

The GLOBAL system mobile association a trade body that represents interests of mobile service providers across the global holds the responsibility to build capacity among its affiliates  and local service providers including ZAMTEL AIRTEL MTN have been benefiting.

shola Sanni is GSMA policy manager Africa, government and regulatory affairs spoke gave her perspective about child online safety.

“We tend think of cyber security as a problem for governments, major corporations, and—at an individual level—for people with credit card numbers or identities But The average teenage or young-adult internet user are the softest of targets.

Zambia’s minister of transport and communication Brain Mashimba is confident that the country will make more gains to address online safety once the cyber security bill is enacted.

Remember anything private you post online can be used against you time is now to be cyber security conscious.

for a radio audio report follow the link below 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2b8OpCyKcAeVTVCZjBESnRWNjA/view?usp=drivesdk

 
ENDS////

PEOPLE ON HIV TREATMENT DISCOURAGED FROM ABUSING ALCOHOL

Network of Zambian people living with HIV/AIDS executive director Kunyima Banda has reminded people on Antiretroviral Treatment to stop abusing alcohol.

She pointed out that most of the times men have the tendency of drinking alcohol while on medication; a situation she said contributes to avoidable deaths.

Meanwhile the prevalence of HIV among adults (15-49) is 14.3percent and is characterized by the following:

Females (16.1 percent) are more likely to be HIV+ than males (12.3 percent);

And in Urban areas are typified by higher HIV prevalence (20 percent) than rural areas (10 percent);

Stable unions such as marriage and “living together” do not provide protection from HIV as these groups have HIV prevalence rates (16 percent and 15 percent, respectively) that are higher than the national average;Although more than 90 percent of both sexes and all age groups responded to have heard of HIV and AIDS, only 36 percent of women and 39 percent of men have comprehensive knowledge.

 

Zambia Sexual Behavioral Survey for 2009 reports that only 7.1 percent of the population reported using condoms in their most recent sexual encounter in the past 12 months.

Estimated population with HIV is 108,505 (2009); Only 33.6 percent of young people 15 – 19 years reported to have tested for HIV in the past 12 months and know their status.