Production News South Africa

Film launch on dangers of social media

The Film and Publication Board (FPB) and the department of home affairs recently screened the film 'Trust', which illustrates the potential dangers of children accessing the internet and interacting with others through social media.
Film launch on dangers of social media

Co-hosted by the Businesswomen's Association, the launch included a panel discussion and an address by the deputy minister of home affairs Fatima Chohan.

The joint initiative was created to facilitate discussions between women across the country about the realities and dangers of children using communication platforms such as the internet and to raise awareness among mothers of the risks associated with this technology.

Panel member Marlene Wasserman, aka Dr. Eve, revealed some statistics; 75% of children online are using instant messenger services, 60% admit to giving out personal information on the web, 70% report to having seen inappropriate images on the web and 70% of these say they were exposed to these images by age 11.

Chohan said that while government and governing bodies such as the FPB have a role to play in combating the dangers, she believes that as educators, parents need to be obliged to educate their children about sex.

She closed the evening by saying that initiatives such as this joint venture were vital in reaching the public to inform them of the dangers and steps that need to be taken.

Let's do Biz