Pradipta Oli
With the internet being integral to daily life, child safety online is a growing concern. The 2024 UNICEF Nepal and ChildSafeNet paper Nepal’s Digital Generation: Challenges for Child Online Protection," outlines key risks and challenges.
The Disconnect Between Children’s Internet Use and Their Awareness of Online Risks
A survey of 5,011 children by ECPAT Luxembourg found that while 72% used mobile devices, 49% were unaware that online harm could be a crime.
The Hidden Dangers of Social Media
ECPAT Luxembourg's survey showed that nearly 40% of children in Kathmandu Valley shared images with strangers online.
2020 Survey Finds Alarming Rates of Sexual Content Exposure Among Children and Young People
A 2020 survey by ChildSafeNet and UNICEF found 42% of children in Nepal encountered online sexual content, similar to 41% in 2019.
The Silent Risk: Children Engaging with Online Strangers and the Impact on Their Safety
ECPAT Luxembourg's study found that 8% of children in Nepal received inappropriate online requests, while 22% engaged with strangers without parental awareness.
Unaware and Unresponsive: The Gaps in Online Safety Awareness Among Children and Parents
A 2019 ECPAT Luxembourg study found 57% of children in Nepal were unaware of online protection regulations, while 33% of parents neglected reporting of online incidents.
Married Before 18: The Growing Role of Social Media in Child Marriages
Nepal has the third-highest rate of child marriage in the world, with 41 per cent of women married before 18. Alarmingly, social media, especially platforms like Facebook, has become a key enabler of these early marriages.
The report highlights the need for collaborative efforts from government, schools, media, and organizations to address online risks for children in Nepal.
