Fiji parents urged to be vigilant of children's internet use

Fiji's Education Ministry is urging parents to be aware of what their children watch on the internet.

The ministry's call follows recent reports that police are investigating a Year 8 student over her alleged involvement in a sexually explicit video which was shared among other people.

Education Minister Rosy Akbar said social media had become a huge influence in people's lives especially children.

Speaking at the Conservatorium of Dance graduation in Suva, Akbar said students spent most of their time in school.

But she urged the parents to ensure their children's safety when they were not there.

"There are a lot of things that happen that affect our children and we need to better monitor them when giving them access to the internet," Akbar said.

"We must protect our children. Parents we must be very vigilant and mindful on how they use their mobile phones.

"If we have our children as young as 8, 9 or 10 engaged in such activities it's very harmful what does it indicate to us?

"We are failing somewhere. Are we failing as parents, communities, elders and guardians, teachers or government?"

Police probe teen sex video

Police said they are investigating the video of a the primary school student with another boy.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said they were also looking into how the video was shared to others.

Naisoro told the Fiji Times newspaper that cybercrime officers were investigating the case.

The matter was reported at the Nabua Police Station and officers are looking into the matter, Naisoro said.

She said police were also investigating three other cases involving sexually explicit videos.

"In separate cases, the Cyber Crime team based at the Criminal Investigations Department have received three requests from women who have asked for assistance in removing explicit videos of themselves after finding out they were being shared with others," she said.

"The women said the videos were initially shared with their partners, and later discovered that it had been shared in private groups.

"Investigating officers are requesting members of the public to be mindful of the images and videos they take or share as it could fall into the wrong hands."