Cambodia is set to commemorate a significant milestone in its digital development agenda with the celebration of its most comprehensive Safer Internet Day Campaign on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the National Institute of Education. This initiative, designed to promote digital citizenship and enhance online safety measures, represents a coordinated inter-ministerial and multi-sectoral approach to addressing the challenges of the digital age.
Co-organsied by the National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT), the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC), and APLE Cambodia, this campaign marks a pivotal advancement in the nation’s commitment to child online protection and the promotion of digital literacy. The event underscores the Royal Government of Cambodia’s dedication to fostering a secure digital environment and equipping its citizens, particularly the youth, with the necessary skills to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
Under the theme ?Smart kids understand internet safety and know how to protect themselves online?, the campaign brought together an unprecedented assembly of over 1,100 stakeholders. Participants ranged from high-ranking government officials and law enforcement officers to educators, UN representatives, NGOs, media personnel, and students, reflecting the campaign’s comprehensive approach to online safety.
Her Excellency Chou Bun Eng, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Interior and Permanent Vice-Chair of the NCCT, will preside over the event. ?While digital advancements drive our economic and social progress, they also present new avenues for exploitation,? Her Excellency cautions, highlighting the campaign’s crucial role in safeguarding vulnerable online users, particularly children.
Mr. Samleang Seila, Executive Director of APLE, underscores the campaign’s transformative potential. ?This initiative not only transcends a global observance, but it’s also pioneering a new paradigm in online safety education and digital resilience,? he states. Mr. Seila emphasizes the campaign’s goal to catalyze widespread dialogue on internet safety across all societal levels.
The SID 2025 campaign introduces several innovative components, inlcuding:
- School outreach program which will engage 500 students and teachers across two schools to raise awareness and support integration of online safety into regular curricula;
- Multi-stakeholder collaboration uniting government bodies, tech companies, NGOs, and educational institutions in a cohesive effort to combat online threats; and
- Public awareness drive to leverage various media platforms to disseminate critical information on child online protection and responsible digital citizenship.
Cambodia’s leadership in organizing annual Safer Internet Day campaigns since 2020 has positioned the country at the forefront of regional efforts in digital safety. This year’s expanded initiative aligns with global strategies to create a safer online space, particularly for young users.
As Cambodia embarks on this comprehensive approach to internet safety, it sets a new benchmark in the region for proactive measures in digital protection and education. The campaign not only addresses immediate online risks but also lays the groundwork for a more secure and responsible digital future for all Cambodians.
The campaign is made possible through the generous support of OneChild Foundation, Smart Axiata, Terre des Hommes Netherlands, and World Childhood Foundation, alongside technical expertise from various government ministries and partner organizations.
