Question NW3128 to the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
08 September 2015 - NW3128
Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(1)(a) When was the Child Online Protection (COP) programme developed and (b) who developed the specified programme; (2) (a) what public participation process was held, (b) with whom was the specified process held, (c) on what date(s) and (d) where was the specified process held; (3) Whether the COP programme was published for public comment; if not, why not; if so, (a) when was it published, (b) where was it published and (c) how many responses were received; (4) (a) in which provinces was the COP programme launched, (b) who is responsible for implementing the COP programme in the specified provinces and (c) how is it being (i) implemented and (ii) monitored; (5) What is the plan for implementing the COP programme in other provinces?
Reply:
(1)(a) In 2010
(1)(b) It emanates from a resolution of the International Telecommunications Union that was taken in 2009 and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) responded as a Member State of the ITU by developing the Child Online Protection Programme that was developed in 2010.
(2)(a) Consultation workshops took place in all provinces on the Children Strategy which included the Online Protection Programme.
(2)(b) Children’s Rights Organisations; Children’s Organisations that work in the ICT Sector; State-Owned Companies, Department of Basic Education, Department of Social Development, National Prosecuting Authority, South African Police Service, the former Ministry for Women, Children and People with Disabilities; and International Bodies such as Unicef and the ITU.
(2)(c) During the financial years 2010/2011 and 2011/12.
(2)(d) Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN), Free State Province, North West Province, Gauteng, Northern Cape Province and the Eastern Cape Province.
(3) No, but an advertisement ran on national television and radio. Further, a Webpage was set up for the programme;
(4)(a) On 19 August 2015 in KZN as part of the launch of the Children and ICT Strategy;
(4)(b) The DTPS and Non-Profit Organisations namely; Resources Aimed at Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect; Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention; Childline South Africa, Disabled Children’s Action Group (DICAG); and the Film and Publication Board.
(4)(b)(i) Through School-based Awareness Workshops and in this regard we have conducted (5) five workshops in the Eastern Cape, KZN, Western Cape, and North West Province.
(4)(b)(ii) Evaluation workshops are conducted with the schools where the programme is implemented and in this regard we have done one evaluation workshop in KZN this year.