Rwanda has over 3.31 million internet users who go online every day. The number of internet users increased by 267,000 between 2019 and 2020.

This in part points to increased exposure to Internet scams, trackers and aggressors giving a misleading impression that Rwandans than ever now use online technology.

Currently, there are several forms of internet scams including people hacking emails, stalkers, impostors luring people into sharing private information, messages soliciting for money, and outright theft of personal data/information.

With teenagers being the largest number of social media platform users such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, they have been identified as the biggest number at risk of getting in touch with internet bullies and targets for sexual predators.

Get Safe Online

To address this, a new program – Get Safe Online was launched to raise awareness on how to get safe online, how to deal with online abuse, how some things are better kept private, and how to keep your children safe online from bullies, stalkers and trolls through free, unbiased, expert, and practical advice.

This website will offer practical advice on how Rwandans can protect themselves, family, finances, devices and workplaces against fraud, identity theft, and many other problems online.

Get Safe Online will also guide on performing backups and how to avoid theft or loss of your computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Peter Davies, the Global Ambassador of Get Safe Online said, “the aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of risks and safety measures which will protect people from online security risks. These risks include phishing scams, identity theft, ransomware, malware, viruses, and other online threats.

The services are fully funded and do not require resources from users. We work with our local partners in Rwanda to build online safety.”

This campaign will also curb copying and cheating by children from websites and passed on as their own work representing plagiarism.