By Staff Reporter

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has called for greater protection of children online, saying the state has a constitutional duty to safeguard learners from digital harm.

Speaking at the 15th National Schools Moot Court Competition at Constitution Hill on Sunday, Kubayi said online safety could not be left to children to manage on their own.

“Section 7(2) places the duty on the State to respect, protect, promote and fulfil these rights. Online safety is not something we can leave to children to manage alone,” she said.

Kubayi said the issues raised reflected the growing challenge of balancing constitutional rights with the risks children face in digital environments.

Inside Education reported in June that 67% of South African children aged eight to 18 had experienced at least one major cyber risk, including cyberbullying, exploitation, harmful content and technology overuse, according to Child Online Safety Index data.

The moot court competition, launched in 2011, is run by the justice and basic education departments together with the South African Human Rights Commission.

Last year, more than 900 Grade 9 learners entered the competition, with 36 teams progressing to the national rounds before finalists argued at the Constitutional Court.

Kubayi said hundreds of schools and thousands of learners from urban, township and rural communities had taken part in constitutional education programmes this year.

She said government wanted to broaden participation so learners had access to legal literacy programmes regardless of geography or school resources.

The competition also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the adoption of South Africa’s Constitution.

INSIDE EDUCATION

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