More and more children are accessing social media, despite the age restriction for those under 13. “Very young children come to connect at our place. We are not sure if their parents are aware of their social media usage,” a cybercafé manager confided yesterday. Others have their parents’ approval, having been gifted their own phones. “I promised my daughter a phone if she passed the CEPE exam. A promise made is a promise kept. Since then, she uses TikTok and Facebook, but I closely monitor her usage to prevent harassment,” says Arovonjy Helisoa, a mother.
This early presence on social media particularly exposes children to cyberbullying. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 16% of young people aged 11 to 15 have already been victims of online harassment, and this figure is reportedly rising. “Absorbed by our daily lives, we parents sometimes forget to raise awareness and protect our children in the digital world,” laments Alice Bodovelo, CSR manager at Orange Madagascar.
During the 2nd edition of the ‘For Good Connections Days’, organized by Orange Madagascar on July 31 and August 1, 2026, in Toamasina, several activities were conducted to protect children from cyberbullying. “We sensitized children to best practices on social media by training them on online risks, cybercrime, and screen time management,” says Anita Rakotomalala, head of department and partnerships at Orange Madagascar. Children also learned about cyberbullying, inappropriate content, responsible digital usage, and fake news. “We taught them what to do when posting on social media, how to protect their passwords, and the importance of asking their parents’ advice before publishing anything online,” indicates Alice Bodovelo. Tanjona Rasoloherimanalina, from the Jsem Nanisana football club, affirms that this knowledge is essential for children.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-11 05:39:08 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/numerique-des-enfants-utilisent-les.html