UNICEF and Flow Partner to Launch U-Report Poll

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and telecommunications firm, Flow have partnered to launch the U-Report Poll, which aims to facilitate greater understanding of how children operate and the actions they take to protect themselves in the digital space.

U-Report is a messaging tool developed by UNICEF that empowers young persons globally to add their voices on issues that matter to them.

‘U-Reporters’ in Jamaica are part of a worldwide community of more than 27 million youth, aged 13 and older.

Acting UNICEF Jamaica Representative, Vicente Teran, said growing access to the Internet and increased time spent online by children creates situations in which the youngsters may be exposed to new forms of violence. These include cyberbullying, exploitation, online grooming for sexual purposes, and child online pornography.

He further noted that the COVID-19 pandemic led to surges in unsupervised time online among children and adolescents, which has magnified their vulnerability.

“We must act swiftly to address issues of online safety through public education, raising awareness about the dangers [in the digital space], and take a comprehensive systems approach to tackling technology-facilitated abuse and exploitation. This U-Report poll is another tool to help us understand what young people are experiencing online,” Mr. Teran said.

He was speaking during the Flow Foundation’s ‘Connected + Protected Safer Internet 2023’ programme launch at the AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston on Tuesday (January 31).

Data from the poll will be used to inform public and private-sector decision-makers in designing appropriate responses.

Vice President of Flow Jamaica, Stephen Price, said the U- Report poll, which was conducted between January 16 and 31, will yield valuable information that will be used to strengthen safeguards for young people in the digital space.

“The U-Report poll was launched to better understand the capability of young Jamaicans to protect themselves from online threats. The latest poll aims to enable us to understand teens’ awareness of Internet safety, their ability to stay safe online and will also solicit ideas from the participants on how to better protect young people online,” he explained.

Persons can participate by sending the word POLL to U-Report via WhatsApp: 876-838-4897; SMS (free to send and receive messages for Flow customers): 876-838-4897; Instagram: @ureportjamaica; or Facebook Messenger: @ureportjamaica.

Counselling by qualified persons is also available via the ‘U-Matter’ chatline with the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The service is free, anonymous, and confidential.

Youth, with Flow’s help, can access this service by sending the word SUPPORT to U-Report.