Impact Amplifier, with funding from Google.org, today launched the African Online Safety Platform (AOSP). The Africa Online Safety Platform is a pan-African project and part of Impact Amplifier's broader intention to address online safety in Africa at an organizational level.
Africa's internet safety ecosystem is hampered by several issues. Chief among them is the lack of a central repository of all online safety research conducted on a wide range of issues in Africa. Lack of a central repository of educational materials for the numerous online safety challenges relevant to users in Africa. Lack of less complex and time-consuming legal and social media platform support systems. and lack of funding for necessary interventions.
AOSP was built to address all of these challenges. The platform provides a rich repository of research, educational content, funding opportunities, and ways to seek help if an online crime occurs.
This site explains how online safety issues affect different parts of Africa, how to keep everyone safe online, especially young people, and formally teaches online safety at school and at home. It aims to address the complexities of understanding methods, funding opportunities for safety innovators, and more. How to seek help in the event of a crime or other violation.
The event also included a panel discussion with several of Impact Amplifier's grant recipients, which are part of Ecosystem Solutions. These panelists reflected online safety innovators from South Africa and Kenya who discussed some of the complexities and solutions to staying safe online in Africa.
The panelists from South Africa were craig rosewarneManaging Director Wolfpack Information Risk and Kamalen Peter, Director/Executive Lead of the Center for Analysis and Behavior Change (CABC). People from Kenya Dennis LatemoProgram Manager Terre des Hommes; martha sunda Executive Director of Childline Kenya. Their discussions emphasized the importance of solutions appropriate to Africa's local context.
Google SA Country Director Dr Alistair Mokoena said: We have now released version 2.0. It remains committed to providing ongoing and dedicated support to Africa's online safety ecosystem to ensure vulnerable people are protected from online harm and enjoy the benefits of the internet. This is to show that there is. We encourage all interested parties to take advantage of this fantastic new education and research resource and apply for funding. ”
Speaking at the event, Impact Amplifier Director Tanner Methvin said, “More than 570 million people access the internet in Africa, reflecting just under 47 percent of the continent's population, and with the importance of online safety. “Concerns need to be given the utmost attention.”
The new platform “offers an innovative approach to addressing the complex safety issues posed by the Internet,” Methvin added. These range from developing unique ways to combat misinformation and disinformation, tracking down cybercriminals, supporting journalists who are subject to hate speech and bullying, and integrating online safety training into school curricula.” I concluded.
