Online safety is a major concern in Tonga, especially with misuse of social media, such as spreading misinformation, abuse, bullying, fraud and fake pages, say Tonga Women in ICT, an NGO who are aiming to increase awareness of these issues.

Tonga Women in ICT has signed an MOU with Government that will enable them to carry out public awareness on cybercrime in Tonga.

The MOU was signed by MEIDECC CEO (Tonga Computer Emergency Response Team) Paula Ma'u and President of the Tonga Women in ICT (TWICT), Selu Kauvaka on 21 September.

Selu said with online safety a major concern in Tonga they considered that one of the best ways to help is to increase awareness.

“We couldn’t really do much technically as we have Tonga CERT doing that, so we asked them if they needed us to support awareness, for example in villages and schools. One of our biggest issues in Tonga is the misuse of social media with misinformation, abuse, bullying, fraud and fake pages."

She said the MOU will enable TWICT to act hand in hand with Tonga CERT in delivering awareness on cyber security and cyber safety to the community, youths and students in schools. 

While TWICT is supporting Tonga CERT, this will also be an opportunity for the group members to build their own capacities. Members have been trained to be ‘Get Safe Online’ Ambassadors.

"We want to get more women in the group, encourage women to take up technology." Selu said.

TWICT was established with the aim of improving participation of women and girls in ICT and to act as a hub by providing a voice in this male-dominated area.