Grameenphone launched a guidebook for parents so they could keep their children safe and ensure informed use of internet.
The guidebook, published by the Telenor Group, was launched at Agrani School and College in Azimpur, Dhaka yesterday.
The mobile phone operator said the publishing of the guidebook was a part of its continuous endeavours to raise awareness among parents and children about the safe use of internet.
Grameenphone is the first mobile phone operator in Bangladesh to start promoting the concept of “Safe Internet.”
“This launch is a testimony of Grameenphone’s tireless endeavours to conduct operations with utmost responsibility,” said Debashis Roy, head of corporate social responsibility of the operator.
“We are aware that the children of today are tomorrow’s leaders, and consider it our duty to ensure their well-being through informed use of the resources around them,” he said at a panel discussion at the launching ceremony.
Dr Abdullah Abu Sayeed, chairman of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra, Md Reaz Uz Zaman Bhuiyan, principal of Agrani School and College, Jamila Akhter, child protection specialist of UNICEF and Ronnie Mirza, communications lead of BRAC, also spoke.
Md Hasan, deputy general manager (public relations) of Grameenphone, moderated the discussion.
Grameenphone said millions of people across Asia started using internet in recent years, but parents struggled to talk to their kids about many sensitive topics like the contents available on internet and needs to remain safe.
Grameenphone stated that spreading awareness in low-information populations where the internet was still in its infancy could help mitigate risks posed to digitally inexperienced parents and their children.
The book is available both in English and Bangla and will be distributed by Grameenphone among the target groups.
Grameenphone has an ambition to ensure “Internet for All.” The company said it was also working to build awareness among the users regarding safe use of internet.
It will hold workshops in 500 schools with the help of BRAC. Earlier this year, the operator organised a workshop and published awareness advertisement regarding safe internet on national dailies on the occasion of Safer Internet Day.
Grameenphone, a subsidiary of the Telenor Group, is a leading telecommunications service provider in Bangladesh with more than 53m subscribers.