Accessing banned adult sites ‘not difficult’

People will find their way around banned explicit sites, says Shairana Ali, CEO of Save the Children Fiji.

Responding to Communications Minister Manoa Kamikamica’s alarming figures on child pornography in Fiji, Ms Ali said that while banning certain sites was effective, it would not completely deter people from visiting sites where inappropriate images of children were circulating.

“We know that overseas countries have done this, but we have also noticed that even if these sites are banned, people will find their way around them,” Ali said.

“People will find a way around them through things like VPNs and they will take advantage of that.

“While it is an effective solution, it is not the only solution.”

She said data released by the National Taskforce to Address Pornography reflects the reality of what is happening in our communities.

“Anyone with access to the internet can access these sites.

“From the work we do, we also know the fact: the exploitation of children online, especially through emerging platforms such as Telegram and even TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.

“There are groups that are being set up where these inappropriate images of children are being spread.

“So we share these concerns and agree that monitoring and strengthening of the policy should be carried out.”

Ms Ali said the ongoing efforts of the Fiji Police Force Cybercrime Unit and the Online Safety Commission must be further intensified.

According to Deputy Prime Minister and head of the National Task Force on Tackling Pornography, Manoa Kamikamica, 3,638 cases of child sexual abuse material have been reported from Fiji to the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Cyber ​​Tipline.