Internet use is growing in the Cook Islands, particularly amongst young people. With this growth comes an increasing vulnerability to cyber bullying. Cyber Safety Pasifika has been designed to help provide young people, their parents and police with the knowledge and tools to protect them from this threat.

Through the programme, around 750 children (from 10-17 years old) in eight schools in Rarotonga took part in interactive workshops on how to stay safe online and be responsible ‘digital citizens’. Evening sessions were held for communities, including parents, carers and church leaders.

Local police officers also took part, with sessions on understanding the activities young people take part in online and the websites and social networks they visit.

Early next year Cook Islands police officers will also participate in a ‘train the trainer’ course that will allow them to deliver awareness campaigns to young people in schools and the community.

Regional chiefs of police identified cyber safety in the Pacific as a major emerging issue at the annual PICP conference held in Brisbane in 2010, and again at the 2011 conference in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. The new programme was successfully piloted in Niue in August 2011.

Senior Sergeant Pauao (Cook Islands Police), Ms Mel Sevil (AFP), Federal Agent Melissa Northam (PICP Secretariat), Inspector John Strickland (Cook Islands Police)

Commissioner Tetava said that he is excited about launching the programme in the Cook Islands. He says while the internet offers fantastic education opportunities, entertainment and communication to everyone especially children and youth not all opportunity is good or in the receivers best interest.

“It is unfortunate that there are some criminal minds out there that will take advantage of our children, young people and the more vulnerable members of our community. The rapid expansion of the internet also offers opportunity for a wide variety of crime particularly sex crime and fraud,”  Commissioner Tetava said.

The programme has also been endorsed by NRL (National Rugby League) players and clubs as an important component of its education programmes particularly rugby league identities from the Pacific region.

The project has been funded by the Australian Federal Police’s Pacific Police Development Program. It will be rolled out to other Pacific Island countries from 2012.