Telenor event highlights need for safe internet

The event was held at Pathein University and was attended by nearly 500 students and lecturers. It covered a range of topics surrounding the growing use of the internet in Myanmar and the need to guide a generation of new users toward inculcating safe and ethical use of the internet.

Net Monday is a monthly industry event organized by Telenor Myanmar to promote a rich dialogue on topics relevant to the growing digital and online community in Myanmar. Each event brings together a panel of local and international experts to discuss and debate specific topics of interest to local programmers, web designers, bloggers, developers, technical experts and representatives from local or international internet and technology companies. Previous events were held at Dagon University, Hmawbi Technological University, Magway University and various other venues across the country.

“We believe internet is one of the most powerful tools for economic and social progress in emerging markets like Myanmar. Smartphones are driving internet adoption today, and many in Myanmar are getting their first experience of the internet on the small screen. Today, we estimate that 65 per cent of all mobile users today are already on a smartphone – an extremely rapid rate of adoption, in a society that is stepping into the world of the internet that has developed ahead of us,” said Petter Furberg, Chief Executive Officer of Telenor Myanmar.

“However in a borderless internet world that ‘never forgets’ and is open to all elements of society, both positive and not-so-positive, there is a need to guide this journey, especially among the younger generation of users. Our collective ambition should be to create a new generation of digital citizens who are not only extremely savvy about using the internet, but also smart and safe in the way we use it. In short, digital citizens who are more resilient to risks, and more responsible in usage of the internet,” Furberg added.

At the event, participants heard from Telenor, MIDO and IMCS on issues and risks surrounding the use of the internet, including the increasing incidences of cybercrime and cyberbullying. The panel discussion also highlighted the responsibility of internet users to nurture a cyber-world that is safe for children.

“There is a need for parents or guardians to play an active part in guiding children through the use of the internet, setting the right conditions where their journey is always safe, positive, guided and secure from negative elements,” Furberg added.

Telenor brings mobile voice and internet services to more than 6.4 million customers in Myanmar today. It estimates that from this base, 65 per cent are already data users, and about 60 per cent have access to or use a smart device.