In a significant move towards enhancing online safety for children, the National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC) has put in place a dedicated Child Online Protection (COP) workforce. This initiative is a proactive response to the increasing threats and challenges children face in the digital world that seeks to create a safer and more secure online environment.

The workforce saw the light of day in Yaoundé following an intense two-week (18 – 28 July 2024) training Workshop on Building a Compliance and Enforcement Framework for the Charter on Child Online Protection in Cameroon (CCOPC)  organised by ANTIC and led by Igxtelle Law Group PLLC – an American Law firm.

The Compliance and Enforcement Framework shall give direction to the workforce in providing a safe cyber environment for children by tackling dangers such as: cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, child pornography, online predators, malware, phishing and scams, identity theft, Internet addiction and exposure to harmful content and influences.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Workshop, ANTIC's Director General, Prof. Ebot Ebot Enaw, urged members of the Child Online Protection Workforce consisting: ANTIC's personnel, law enforcement officers, judicial and legal personnel, advertising agencies, website administrators, online content providers as well as government stakeholders to work in synergy to ensure the effective enforcement of the (CCOPC).

Prof. Ebot hinted that the rapid expansion of Internet access in Cameroon makes it imperative for the workforce to put in place robust measures to protect young users from online risks and dangers.

ANTIC has long been committed to promoting internet safety and security across Cameroon and the formation of the COP workforce represents a significant step in its ongoing efforts to safeguard children in the digital realm. This specialized team will focus on developing and implementing strategies and policies aimed at mitigating online risks for children.

The formation of the workforce is in keeping with  Law N° 2023/009 of 25 July 2023 to institute the Charter on Child Online Protection in Cameroon which mandates ANTIC and other government stakeholders to ensure its enforcement.

The primary objectives of the CCOPC workforce include:

• Awareness and Education: Conducting campaigns to educate children, parents, and educators about the potential dangers of the Internet and how to navigate it safely.
• Policy Development: Formulating comprehensive policies and guidelines to enhance child online protection, including stricter regulations for online content and services accessible to children.
• Collaboration: Partnering with government institutions, educational institutions, and tech companies to create a unified front against online threats.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Establishing mechanisms for monitoring online activities and reporting suspicious or harmful behaviour, ensuring swift action to prevent exploitation.
• Support Services: Providing resources and support for victims of online abuse, including counselling and legal assistance.

By focusing on education, policy, collaboration, monitoring, and support, the COP workforce aims to mitigate risks associated with Internet use and ensure that children can benefit from the digital world without compromising their safety.