The use of smartphones has apparently uplifted the internet users in the world. The majority abandoning their feature phones and opting for a screen that swipes clicks and is big enough to enjoy a read or even a movie when need be. While smartphones are a source of information and maybe even the number one form of communication in this generation, it comes with certain implications.

Globally, the internet has an estimation of 4.66 billion users which is equivalent to 59.5 percent of the global population according to a data site, Statista.

The data also explains, 92.6 percent (4.32 billion) accessed the internet via mobile devices.

Locally, the TeleCom Statistics published by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) in June 2021 states, there are almost 53.2 million telephone users in Tanzania, a growth of 556,158 people in a month.

Among them, 29.1 million are internet users while the rest use feature phones. This leaves the internet as one of the important platforms for Tanzanians, using it for learning, entertainment and others, making means to their daily bread.

As a tool of its benefits, one can’t be very careful while using it as it also comes with unwanted privacy invasion, scams and a lot more. Things that if one is not kin enough, could turn the happy place into a dangerous one. 

Youth are very well vulnerable to this, and this is why Mulika Tanzania in conjunction with TCRA saw the need to address to youth about the internet and all that comes with it.

On a panel around the topic of existing laws and regulations for digital usage in Tanzania where youths met virtually to learn about digital platforms and social media usage, panelists gave quite an overview on how to use the internet. 

One would like to know, what should one consider as they use the internet and the platforms?

Know the platform well

There are many platforms on the internet, websites, social media and blogs. Each of these has their speciality, tricks and the positives and even the negatives.

In order to be safe, you need to understand the platform that you are using and its requirements so you meet the goal of being on that platform while safe.

The head of Consumer and Customers affairs from TCRA, Thady Ringo said in a zoom meeting that one needs to use digital platforms for good means including branding oneself.

Ringo insisted on the proper use of digital platforms for a better cause so that one can bring positivity rather than negativity.

“Start branding yourself. I encourage you to brand yourself on one platform. You need to know it well too,” insisted Ringo.

Adhering to that, one will not only make a success out of the platform but will be cautious of the evils that come along with it as well.

Make your passwords on each platform strong

The mushrooming of digital platforms is a joy to witness but it also demands caution. It comes along with threats of hackers who will want to get your data and manipulate your platforms.

There are some online purchasing platforms that may require you to enter your financial credentials including your credit card information and passwords. According to a tech site, Webroot, hackers could use the same details to steal from you.

This calls for stronger passwords while online and analyzing the authenticity of the sites you go shopping from.

Another worst thing that can happen if you have no strong password is, hackers can sell your information to other parties who will use it for illicit or illegal purposes.

It is also advised to have different passwords in each platform and not have the same password all over the internet.

Open them all yourself

Even though every platform comes with a different layout and demands, at least it is clear that many want the same thing to have an account. Basically an email, phone numbers and a password. 

No matter how unaware you are of a platform, do not let someone help you open an account and know your passwords too. Ringo advised one needs to take that into consideration because “the possibility of them controlling your account online is high.” 

If it happens you are unaware of the platform, you can always ask for help but make sure you have a new password afterwards.

Know your whys

It may be easy for a friend to influence you to join a certain digital platform. But do you really have to be in?

There are a lot of social media platforms. Naming a few, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, Tikitok and many others.

Getting into social media leaves your digital prints. Your names, your emails, your passwords, your age and sometimes your contacts, locations and phone numbers.

Joining every social media will leave your details with the owners so you need to have a why whenever you are to join a social media for your own use.

It is advised to deactivate your accounts too once you are packing your bags from the platform so as not to have your names and images in there unnecessarily.

Apart from keeping safe while using digital platforms, it is important to understand that they come with other side effects that are posing a challenge among youths.

At the wrong age and time, using social media is believed to cause depression and influence peer pressure.

The Child Institute of America states, “60 percent of adolescents are looking at their phones in the last hour before sleep, and that they get on average an hour less sleep than their peers who don’t use their phones before bed.”

That is a cause of Sleep deprivation and depression to adolescents and it could also work the same with adults who heavily use their phones on social media and digital platforms at large.

Nevertheless, as youths were concerned over not been given enough knowledge over the implications of the internet, Hussein Melele, the Founder of Mulika Tanzania, who spearheaded the talks on this discussion said they are looking to engage more youth and students around the topic since they are the ones who are more vulnerable.

“We believe that many youth use the internet and are on social media, these are the people that are more vulnerable because they don’t know how this can affect their lives if not used well, this is why we have been conducting different conversations with youths and students to ensure that more youths are involved in the discussions and learnings on proper ways to use the digital platform,” said Melele.

Despite the ongoing efforts of both the government and other stakeholders in ensuring that the public, especially youths are knowledgeable on the proper use of the internet, the group still suffers with ongoing implications, including cases around nudity and revenge porn that surged recently.