DILI, 2 september 2022 (TATOLI)– The United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the State Secretary for Youth and Sport together with Timor-Leste Youth Parliament Alumni released a survey report on youth access to the internet in urban areas across Dili.
The survey, conducted in 2021 by youth groups in 12 areas across Dili, aims to raise awareness about safe internet use or cybersecurity network practices and focus on positive points.
UNICEF Country Representative in Timor-Leste, Billal Durrani said the survey conducted by the groups of young people is a very important initiative, UNICEF appreciates this initiative.
“We appreciate the initiative of young people to conduct research to identify youth performance for online users,” said UNICEF Representative, Bilal Durani in his remarks at the SoSYS meeting room, Lesidere, this Friday.
Durani said this initiative was completed because of youth concerns about online safety codes for pornographic content, therefore to achieve this initiative, UNICEF provided technical support on survey guidelines and ethical methods that helped youth groups to conduct household research in 12 areas across DILI.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State for Youth and Sports (SoSYS), Abrão Saldanha said this was a good initiative of five youth associations, including APFTL, AJ, Hamutuk Ita Resolve, SFTL, and others.
“This research was carried out in 2021 and today they released the results of the report to the public,”
According to the survey results, 93% of adolescents aged 10 to 18 years have access to the internet network while those aged 18 to 24 years have regular access to the internet (100%).
The report also states that 66% of teenagers use the internet to search for school materials. 60% of youth have access to the promotion of pornographic content, and 40% of youth have access to violent and bullying content.
According to the Head of YPTL Alumni, Zaulino Gomes, the survey was answered by 305 youth respondents from 210 households.
Of the total 305, 72% were female, and 52% were male aged 10 to 17 years. While ages 18 to 24 years consisted of 90% female and 81% male.
The survey covered several areas in Dili including Beccuse sentru, Maucoco Mate (Becora), Toko Baru (Bidau), Moris Foun (Audean), Alto Balide, 1 de setembro, 5 de outubro, 4 de setembru, Sacoco, 25 de abril, Anin Fuik, (Aitarak-Laran) Lecidere, Sao Miguel and 20 de september.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
