Concerns have been raised on people’s lack of knowledge here in Fiji on the effects of social media on children.

PasifikaNEXUS, a local organization says some parents leave their children online unsupervised, not aware of the negative implications.

Head of PasifikaNEXUS, Salanieta Tamanikaiwaimaro says children are the most vulnerable to the potential dangers of using social networking sites.

“You know how in the past, particularly in Fiji normally parents leave children watching cartoons and TV programs however Internet is a different beast. Its just like you will not allow walk across parental supervision, the internet likewise demands a level of responsibility.”

Tamanikaiwaimaro says face to face social interaction, which is key to a child’s development, is being replaced with instant online interactions.

“In Fiji, people in an island like Motoriki do not have to leave that island to know what the kids doing in Samoa what the kids are doing in other parts of the world and also it redefines the relationship.”

Even Fiji is not safe from the effects of online activities.

“One of the thing which we are witnessing in the Pacific is Cyber bullying, child online pornography is something which is global also all kinds of pedophilia.”

While PasifikaNEXUS believes more awareness and education is needed about the social media, it’s not entirely against it.

Children must learn to keep up with the fast changing world.