摘要：Due to the increase in internet usage by children over the years, countries in Africa have embarked on strengthening their policies through the integration of child online protection measures aimed at protecting children from internet risks and threats. Evidence suggested in studies concerning internet addiction disorder shows that overuse of the Internet can genuinely restrain children especially teenagers' experiences in life, their performance academically, overall happiness, and physiological well-being. Further, literature also suggests a relationship between internet use in adolescence and other variables such as depression, social isolation, distorted sense of reality, and access to uncensored material (pornography), eating disorders and online harassment among many others. Nevertheless, much remains uncertain as to whether such assertions can be generalized to Zambia although it is no secret internet usage among our children is only exhibiting an increasing trend owing to the continued access to portable internet platforms such as smart mobile phones. Findings from the research survey indicate that the majority 96% of the 105 respondents say that hate speech and social media addiction are the most prominent internet risks children are likely to encounter, 92% say it is cyberbullying, 89% say it is sexting and posting of nude photos and 89% say it is fake news among other risks. Further findings indicate that the majority 57% say that depression is the prominent effect of internet risks among children, 53% say it is low self-esteem, 52% say it is deteriorating social behavior and rudeness and 49% say it is loss of concentration on education. Very few comprehensive research have been done on the status of child online protection in Zambia from the perspectives of ISPs, MNOs and the regulating institution of telecommunications ZICTA. The study in addressing the literature gap is crucial for policy makers in the Ministry of Transport and Communication as it will act as a catalyst for refinement and concession of policies to bring into inclusion the risks that children are exposed to on the internet thereby play a role in protecting the future leaders of tomorrow.
