Event Overview
The second training session of NetMission Academy 2024 was held successfully on January 11, 2024, with great moderation and facilitation by Nattaya Kay Jaratruangsaeng and Harisa Shahid. Attendees from diverse regions across the Asia Pacific, including both participants and alumni, convened to engage with our esteemed panel of speakers: Khin Phyu Cyn Kyi, Emad Karim, and Dr. Raakesh Kriplani.
This comprehensive session delved into intricate subjects, providing participants with an in-depth understanding of digital literacy, gender disparities in digital access, and the nuanced aspects of digital wellbeing. The discussions encompassed critical issues such as managing screen time, addressing mental health concerns in the digital realm, and navigating the challenges posed by cyberbullying.
The session began with case studies presentation by our participants from working group 2: Charlotte Fang Hendro, Thụy Xuân Thảo Trịnh, and Nawal Munir Ahmad. They presented the following examples during the session:
- Access and Empowerment Summary
- Bridging the Digital Divide to improve the Quality of Education as a means to counter the Issue of Tribal Warfare in Papua New Guinea (PNG)
- The Disrupted Connection – A Comprehensive Examination of Internet Shutdowns
Key Speakers
Three distinguished speakers contributed their insights during the session:
- Digital Wellbeing & Cyber-psychology – Prof Dr. Raakesh Kriplani, ERF Rastriya Raksha University a National security University
- Digital Literacy and Education – Khin Phyu Syn Kyi, DigTech
- Women’s Empowerment and Internet Access – Emad Karim, UN Women
Case Study Presentation: Access and Empowerment
Working group 2 started by summarizing the theme of access and empowerment. They discussed submarine cables, emerging technologies like 5G and satellite internet, and how infrastructure enables policy and affects issues like the digital divide.
They presented two case studies. In the first case study, they talked about Bridging the digital divide to improve education quality and counter tribal warfare in Papua New Guinea. The question was whether closing the digital divide in rural schools could counter this issue. Two viewpoints are presented: a) Yes, citing the positive impact of online educational resources on mental and moral development, and (b) No, highlighting the potential for internet access to fuel violence i.e cyberbullying, hate speech, pornography, and misinformation. The proposed solution involved installing cost-effective and eco-friendly solar-powered satellite dishes in rural schools. They also talked about ways to increase internet access to improve access to quality education.
The second case study was about an overview of Internet shutdowns in parts of the Asia Pacific region. They discussed concerns over shutdowns on grounds of exam integrity, political stability, and control of information. Further, they discussed potential solutions like developing accountability systems, increasing public understanding of impacts, and upholding human rights.
After the presentations, three policy questions were given to discuss later in breakout rooms regarding the speaker sessions.
Digital Literacy and Education
Khin Phyu Syn Kyi started by discussing the barriers to achieving ASEAN Vision 2025 which included privacy concerns, misinformation, and cybersecurity. She also highlighted some challenges like limited internet access and misinformation. Khin presented statistics from DigiTech workshops showing improved digital literacy in Brunei, Myanmar, and Indonesia after training. A notable project, the Digital Toolkit, focuses on imparting basic digital literacy skills and addressing misinformation. The Digital Literacy training program aims to address pressing issues, emphasizing the importance of effectively combating misinformation. The discussion extends to the role of online learning platforms, virtual reality, augmented reality, and data analysis tools in enhancing digital literacy. Noteworthy statistics highlight that 60% of jobs currently require digital literacy, and the World Economic Forum estimates that by 2025, 75% of all new jobs will necessitate digital skills.
Women’s Empowerment and Internet Access
Emad Karim discussed the significant gender gap of about 16% in mobile internet usage and women’s underrepresentation in technology fields, with only 28% of engineering graduates and 22% of AI professionals being female. He pointed to societal norms and biases as contributors to limiting women’s careers and economic empowerment. He also emphasized the need to integrate gender equality into the innovation ecosystem and to have more women involved in technology design, policymaking, and internet governance to close the gender digital divide.
To sum it up, Emad Karim discussed the historical involvement of women in computing and technology, their decline in representation over time, and the existing gender gaps in the technology sector. It emphasizes the need for addressing disparities in education, career opportunities, and economic development. He also pointed out the underrepresentation of women in AI, and engineering, and the impact of gender biases in technology design, leading to online violence against women. The focus is on addressing disparities, empowering women through justice, and advocating for increased female participation in technology operations and policy-making to create a more inclusive and equal environment.
- Toolkit: Youth Guide To End Online Gender-Based Violence https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2023/12/youth-guide-to-end-online-gender-based-violence
- 30for 2030 Network: https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/partnerships/30-for-2030
Digital Wellbeing & Cyber-psychology
Dr. Raakesh Kriplani discussed digital wellbeing issues like excessive screen time and cyberbullying. He runs school/college programs on digital detox and digital well-being. He explained how cyberpsychology plays an important role in understanding the online behavioral effects across generations. His proposed solutions include focusing on sleep, internet fasting, sports/other hobbies, and incorporating digital well-being into school curriculums. Most importantly, individuals need awareness and empowerment to maintain digital well-being. He stated that digital wellness is important to achieve a great work-life balance in a corporate environment.
To address these issues, he emphasizes the need for education and awareness programs, particularly in schools and colleges, to address these issues. Suggestions for promoting digital detox include refraining from device usage after 10 P.M., taking breaks during screen time, incorporating eye exercises, and including physical activity in daily routines. The global impact of cyberbullying is highlighted, along with the importance of understanding digital psychology and its effects on different age groups. The concept of ‘Digital Rehab’ programs is explored, emphasizing collaborative efforts for success and cautioning against potential pitfalls. He further underscores the importance of incorporating digital well-being into educational curricula, comparing it to education about harmful substances. Finally, the significance of work-life balance, particularly in the corporate world, is emphasized, stressing the need for awareness and empowerment for individuals to manage their digital well-being effectively.
Breakout Group Discussion
This section highlighted the points discussed in each breakout groups. Below are the questions explored during the session:
- How can policies ensure the equitable distribution of technology and reliable internet access to all students, regardless of socioeconomic background or geographic location? What role can public-private partnerships play in achieving this?
- What role should international cooperation play in establishing norms and best practices for managing internet shutdowns, and how can countries work together to ensure that these practices align with human rights standards and democratic principles?
- Who owns and controls personal data generated in the digital sphere? How can individuals be empowered to make informed choices about their data and hold entities accountable for its use?
Breakout Group 1:
- Highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration for equitable technology distribution, citing India’s CSR concept.
- Advocated international cooperation for managing internet shutdowns, proposing a universal definition and a consensus-based global model.
- Emphasized the establishment of public welfare organizations for localized data management, recommending AI tools for informed consumer choices. Supported the right to be forgotten and stressed robust data protection laws and transparency.
Breakout Group 2:
- Emphasized Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations and a multi-stakeholder approach for equitable technology distribution.
- Discussed the prevalence of internet shutdowns in the Asia Pacific, highlighting the importance of democratic principles and community-led efforts.
- Stressed the need for safeguarding personal data and proposed strategies to encourage user review of terms and conditions for informed choices.
Breakout Group 3:
- Advocated collaborative efforts and policies for equitable technology distribution, involving both public and private sectors.
- Proposed making internet access a fundamental right enforced within national constitutions, contingent on international recognition.
- Stressed digital literacy, transparency, and policy implementation for personal data accountability, highlighting various entities as data owners. Discussions centered on collaboration and the recognition of the internet as a fundamental right.
Written by Socheata Sokhachan, Thụy Xuân Thảo Trịnh, Aviral Kaintura, and Noor Ul Ain Siddiqui.