DILI, 29 september 2022 (TATOLI) – The Asia Foundation and the Non-Governmental Organization Oxfam in Timor-Leste, cooperated with Love Frankie, a social change agency based in Bangkok, Thailand, to conduct a study on teens’ use of social media networks in Timor-Leste.
The study took place in March this year and involved 24 young people between the ages of 16 and 24.
Oxfam’s representative in Timor-Leste, Adilson da Costa, said that this research was supported by the New Zealand Embassy and aimed to find out the attitudes of Timor-Leste’s teenagers on the online platforms, their knowledge of digital rights and obligations, and how they deal with harassment on social media. media.
“The results of this study show that Timor-Leste’s teenagers are aware of their rights and obligations in the digital world, know how to protect their data, and recognize the risks online”, said Adilson da Costa, at the launching of the report in Timor square.
The Secretary of State for Social Communications (SECOMS), Merício Juvenal dos Reis ‘Akara’, considers it important for the Government to assume the responsibility to protect users who use digital platforms.
“Executives have the responsibility to make rules or laws. We are already planning to draft a law on cybercrime and the protection of personal data, to protect the rights of users,” he stressed.
The Asia Foundation’s National Director in Timor-Leste, Héctor Salazar Salame, highlighted that social networks are a source of reading and sharing news or information.
“Young Timorese, like young people around the world, are using digital platforms to influence their friends and family through sharing personal experiences,” he said.
Journalist: Camilo de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
