NCCE Keta Director Educates Church Women on Protecting Children Online

The Keta Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Madam Lina Elinam Bensah, has called on parents and caregivers to take an active role in protecting children from online dangers while promoting responsible digital citizenship.

She made the call during an educational session with members of the Global Evangelical Church (GEC) Keta Presbytery Women Ministry at a rally held at Glory Land, Anloga. The engagement was held under the NCCE’s annual theme, “Upholding the Constitution in a Digital Age: Our Collective Responsibility.”

Madam Bensah emphasised that parents and caregivers have a critical responsibility to ensure that children enjoy the benefits of digital technology without falling victim to online abuse, exploitation and other harmful activities.

She urged parents to familiarise themselves with the social media platforms, messaging applications, websites and online games their children use. She also encouraged them to maintain open communication with their children, creating a safe environment in which they can freely report uncomfortable or inappropriate online experiences without fear of punishment or ridicule.

The NCCE Municipal Director further advised parents to establish clear rules regarding internet use, screen time and access to online content. She encouraged them to make appropriate use of parental controls and remain attentive to their children's online interactions.

Madam Bensah cautioned parents against allowing children to share sensitive personal information, including their home addresses, school details, photographs and other private information online. She explained that such disclosures could expose children to exploitation.

She also urged parents and caregivers to watch for behavioural changes that might indicate online victimisation, including unusual secrecy, withdrawal from family members and gifts from unknown persons. She highlighted the importance of educating children about online grooming and helping them recognise inappropriate requests or conversations.

Additionally, she advised parents to teach children to think carefully before sharing photographs, videos or personal details, noting that content shared online could be difficult to retrieve and might be misused. She encouraged them to familiarise themselves with available reporting channels, including the Cyber Security Authority and the Ghana Police Service Cybercrime Unit, to report suspected online abuse.

Madam Bensah also reminded parents that children learn from adult behaviour and urged them to demonstrate responsible digital habits by respecting privacy, setting healthy boundaries and using the internet safely.

The engagement reinforced the message that protecting children online is a shared responsibility requiring the active involvement of parents, caregivers, religious institutions, communities and relevant state agencies.

The NCCE continues to encourage citizens to uphold constitutional values and exercise their responsibilities in the digital space to help create a safer online environment for every Ghanaian child.