Cybercrime remains an ongoing threat to businesses and individuals on a global scale, often targeting the young and vulnerable and necessitating the need for cybersecurity awareness.

For this reason, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology inked a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with Lifeline/Childline Namibia to collaborate on cybersecurity awareness and public education, with special emphasis on children.

Based on statistics from Disrupting Harm, about 81% of children between the ages of 12 and 17 in Namibia are internet users, with 56% using it daily.

While many of them are aware of online risks, they are still vulnerable to falling victim to scammers and online predators.

The Director of Lifeline/Childline Namibia, Nicolette Bessinger, says that although the country has made some improvements, there is still a dire need to raise awareness of potential online threats.

Although they have an online portal to report child sexual abuse material, it has not been used to date, resulting in limited data for law enforcement.

"Some children depend on interpreters who do not always act in a child-sensitive manner when their cases are referred to court. Reasons for not disclosing such acts are the lack of awareness about where to go and report, the fact that the incident is not serious enough, the fear that they will get into trouble, and the stigma and cultural practices not to talk about sex."

The Executive Director of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Audrin Mathe, says the MOU aims to intensify awareness of the National Reporting Portal.

The online portal allows anyone to anonymously report digitally abusive material affecting children with the hope of not falling victim to cybercrimes.

He added that the pillar on building national, regional, and international collaboration calls for government and stakeholders to advance cybersecurity in Namibia.

"The primary target audience of the cybersecurity strategy is children of various ages, out-of-school adults and youth, as well as parents, guardians, and teachers of these children. Therefore, the focus of this MOU is the children, who are the most vulnerable members of society. We will further extend the education to parents and guardians."

Mathe emphasised that cybersecurity requires the concerted effort of all members of the public, and he also called on other sectors to join the government in building a cyber-resilient nation.