United Nations

The UNODC Global Programme on Cybercrime launches the #ClickToProtect campaign, an online campaign that aims to raise awareness about internet safety in Africa, particularly among parents and children. It focuses on the idea that everyone has a role to play in keeping the internet safe, and how responsible actions, online and offline, can make a difference; one click can make a difference.

The campaign contains 5 animated videos specifically produced for this campaign. These videos may also serve as assets that parents and even teachers can use to teach children on how to stay safe on the internet. The videos tackle different subjects, including:

The practice of extorting money or sexual favours from someone by threatening to reveal compromising images or evidence of their sexual activity. Watch the full video here

Cyberbullying/Harassment :

The use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature. Watch the full video here.

An online scam is a dishonest scheme carried out over the internet to defraud potential victims and generate financial gain for the perpetrator. Most scammers are after your bank account details. Watch the full video here,

 Buying medication online:

An online shopping scam involves scammers who use the internet to trick you into buying fake or counterfeit items, including hard-to-get medications. This online crime has seen a huge increase due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Criminals will often create websites that look like popular online stores. Watch the video here.

Smartphone purchase:

Parents need to discuss and advise their children on how to safely use mobile phones and surf the internet when they receive smartphones for the first time. The ‘smartphone talk’ is important. It can be a critical factor in how your child uses the device. Learn how to have the talk with your child or pupils, watch the video here.

You can also test yourself and your children with our cyber-savvy quiz. How cyber-responsible and knowledgeable are you? Test yourself with our simple quiz in English, French or Portuguese.

According to recent reports, though internet use in Africa remains the lowest worldwide, the number of internet users on the continent increased to around 565 million in 2022, six times more than in 2010 and this figure is estimated to reach 700 million by 2025. With the increase in internet access across Africa, comes the need for every one of us to be prudent in the way we use the internet because just one click can make a difference in our children’s lives and our own lives. Let’s all #ClickToProtect!

This campaign was made possible with support from our donors, France, The Netherlands and The US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL).