#EndViolence - UNICEF Collaborates with Radio

Mumbai, 16 June 2016 – 83% of 18-year-olds in India believe young people are in danger of being sexually abused or taken advantage of online and more than 66% think their friends participate in risky behaviours while using the internet, a new UNICEF study shows.

Perils and Possibilities: Growing up online is based on an international opinion poll of more than 10,000 18-year-olds from 25 countries, revealing young people’s perspectives on the risks they face growing up in an increasingly connected world. Globally, one in three internet users is a child. In India more than 28% youth have online presence. The report provides important insights from young people themselves on issues concerning online safety. The report further finds that adolescents appear confident with their own ability to stay safe, with nearly 81 per cent of interviewees in India believing that  online abuse or bullying would never happen to them. 

In this backdrop, 40 radio journalists from All India Radio, Maharashtra and Gujarat as well as several private FM channels  were sensitised to issues of digital safety and child rights during a two-day workshop in Mumbai. 

Inaugurating the workshop, Professor Shambhu Nath Singh, Head of Journalism and New Media Studies, IGNOU, said, “Technology is ever evolving. With incredible speed, frequency and effect, the medium of internet is influencing our lives. It therefore becomes pertinent for us to identify safe spaces for our children in the digital world.”

UNICEF is engaging the media, particularly Radio, for creating a holistic environment around the End Violence Against Childreninitiative, through interactive workshops culminating in the Radio4Child awards. Also present in the sessions were dignitaries from the field of media, business CSR heads and academia contributed to the proceedings.

"Childline 1098 is the largest children's helpline programme in the world. Operating in over 402 districts across the country, we receive over 9 millions calls for help each year. It's interventions like ours that you must direct audiences to, as we can provide the adequate support and recourse from there", said Mr. Nishit Kumar, Communication & Strategic Initiatives Childline India Foundation, at the brainstorming session of Radio participants at Radio for ‪#‎ENDViolence Workshop.

Basis their learnings the trained programming heads will incorporate the issue of #End violence through their radio programs, blogs and social media platforms in addition to regular programming. UNICEF officials from Delhi and Mumbai facilitated the workshop for two days.