Media Magick

Telenor Pakistan commemorated “Safer Internet Day” at its 345 Campus in Islamabad, underscoring the significance of online safety for children and reaffirming its dedication to establishing a secure digital environment for future generations. The occasion featured the premiere of a unique episode of the Burka Avenger series and was attended by distinguished industry experts, academic professionals, and students.

Over the past five years, Telenor Pakistan has collaborated with Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi to enhance the awareness of safe internet practices among children in Pakistan. Through its Safe Internet Program, the organization has provided training to over one million children in the country, and more than five million in Europe and Asia. In the previous year, Telenor Pakistan joined hands with UNICEF to further educate 750,000 children, parents, and educators in Pakistan on Child Online Protection and to foster policy and regulatory changes over the next three years.

The employment of technology and digital applications presents vast opportunities to facilitate children and young individuals in their learning, entertainment, and social connectivity. Yet, it simultaneously amplifies their vulnerability to various risks. Telenor Pakistan is committed to fostering digital inclusion, promoting online safety, and facilitating the development of new skill sets that enable young people to navigate an increasingly connected world. However, in a world dominated by social media and video games, online safety content competes for the attention of our youth, making it more imperative than ever to communicate our message through innovative means. In his remarks, Irfan Wahab Khan, the Chief Executive Officer of Telenor Pakistan, emphasized the importance of employing innovative techniques to communicate our message effectively.

Mr. Irfan Wahab Khan emphasized that ensuring the safe usage of the internet by our children requires supporting both the children themselves and their caregivers in comprehending the potential risks inherent in online activity, as well as remaining vigilant for any indications of distress that may arise. “It is a shared responsibility to ensure digital safety, and all stakeholders must come together to continue an ongoing dialogue aimed at creating a safer online environment for children,” added Mr. Khan.

The event commenced with a panel discussion on the topic “Making Space for a Conversation about Life Online,” moderated by industry experts. This was followed by the release of a special episode of the popular animated series Burka Avenger, which focuses on child online protection.

Burka Avenger, Pakistan’s first animated female superhero, was created by Unicorn Black. The series follows the story of Jiya, a schoolteacher during the day and a burka-clad superhero at night, as she battles criminals seeking to shut down the school where she teaches. In this particular episode, created in partnership with Telenor Pakistan, the superhero confronts cyberbullies who use catfishing techniques to gain access to the personal information of village children. The episode highlights the fact that, according to a survey, teenagers and young people use the internet unsupervised 80% of the time. With around 70 million adolescent internet users in Pakistan, the risk of these inexperienced and vulnerable individuals becoming victims of online predators or falling for malicious disinformation is ever-present.

The event was attended by professionals from the public, development, and education sectors, as well as students who shared their viewpoints on the impact of the internet on their mental well-being. The panel discussion focused on the most prevalent social media platforms among today’s youth and the online risks that these platforms present to children. Additionally, the panelists emphasized the importance of increasing the capacity of not only children but also caregivers and educators, and strengthening legislation, curriculum, and policy frameworks around online child protection.