The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) says educating users of internet to be responsible digital citizens can curb cases of cyber bulling.
The remarks come as the Authority in collaboration with other stakeholders conducted a series panel discussions with students from tertiary, secondary and primary school institutions in Mzuzu as one way of commemorating the 19th edition of Safer Internet Day.
Speaking to YFM online, MCRA’s Deputy Director responsible for consumer affairs, Kelius Mlenga, said cyber bullying is a criminal offence under the electronic transaction and cyber security Act.
He therefore expressed the need for sensitization among digital consumers such as students.
Mlenga said: “We need to educate digital users to be responsible digital citizens so that they should avoiding bullying other people and the consequences of cyber bulling which can attract a heavy fine and jail sentence of up to seven years.”
He further said they are extending consumer education to the students so that they become ambassadors of the message in their institutions.
Commenting on the same, one of the stakeholders at the event, Article 3 Executive Director, Boniface Mandele, described the discussions as an opportunity for young people to give feedback on laws available in the country aimed at protecting them from cyber bullying.
“These days students are using internet on daily bases so this meeting is giving an opportunity for them to give us feedback, as programmers, whether we are doing the right thing in accordance to the laws of the country,” said Mandele.
A student from Mzuzu University, Chancy Moses, described the discussion as an eye opener especially in reporting cybercrimes.
