Digital Wellbeing: Our commitment to safe online practices throughout COVID-19 and beyond

Since March, our world has gone increasingly digital, and so have our online consumption habits. In the wake of the global pandemic, video conferencing stands in for the classroom environment, and after school usage of television and the internet has substituted the playground. With more than 90 percent of the worldwide student population impacted by mandated school closures and overall internet usage up more than 50 percent in many parts of the world, it has become evident that our digital personas keep us together at a time where it is imperative that we remain physically apart.[1]

Children’s learning experiences are being reshaped, and in support of this, it is the responsibility of companies like TIGO to pave the way for a safe and productive online environment. As part of our corporate responsibility framework, Millicom|TIGO is committed to educating children, parents, and teachers on the risks and opportunities of connectivity, including matters such as cyberbullying.

We believe that digital wellbeing and child safety is fostered by supporting parents and caregivers to help children stay safe online, providing a safe learning experience for students, making online platforms safe and productive for children, and strengthening national prevention, response, and support services.[2] We are proud to have successfully educated more than 480,000 children through our own Conectate Segur@ program since 2016, promoting safe and inclusive digital practices, but we know this is only the beginning. There is much work still to be done.

Part of this includes helping parents, educators and children set limits on digital usage to combat the physical and emotional effects that overexposure and amplified social media communications can have on an individual - especially a child. Equally important is teaching children about the productive use of digital tools such as for educational purposes. Encouraging family conversations and online safety discussions can provide a world of difference between wellbeing and risk, thus helping children navigate throughout their own online and offline capabilities.

Our call to action on today’s Stop Cyberbullying Day is simple. As a driving force in the digital world, TIGO is presented with the unique responsibility to promote overall digital wellbeing, as well as develop programs with partners such as UNICEF to eradicate cyberbullying through educational resources. Far bigger than generating a positive online experience, we hope to, quite literally, save lives through anti-cyberbullying efforts. And in the end, that is the most important facet – to build well-rounded communities that thrive on, and off, safe online practices.

 [1] UNICEF, “COVID-19 and its implications for protecting children online,” 

[2] UNICEF, “COVID-19 and its implications for protecting children online”

[1] https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Digital-Inclusion/Women-and-Girls/Girls-in-ICT-Portal/Pages/GirlsInICTDay/2020/default.aspx

[2]  https://www.caf.com/en/currently/news/2017/03/the-decisive-role-of-women-in-the-economic-development-of-latin-america/

 

*Millicom (NASDAQ U.S.: TIGO, Nasdaq Stockholm: TIGO_SDB) is a leading provider of cable and mobile services dedicated to emerging markets in Latin America and Africa. Millicom sets the pace when it comes to providing high-speed broadband and innovation around The Digital Lifestyle® services through its principal brand, TIGO. As of December 31, 2019, Millicom operating subsidiaries and joint ventures employed more than 22,000 people and provided mobile services to approximately 52 million customers, with a cable footprint of more than 11 million homes passed. Founded in 1990, Millicom International Cellular S.A. is headquartered in Luxembourg.