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Unicef Lesotho says as internet access expands, stronger laws, improved digital literacy, enhanced institutional capacity and coordinated action are essential to protect children from cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, online grooming, hate speech and privacy violations, while enabling them to benefit safely from digital opportunities.
Central to this response is ensuring that children themselves have a voice in shaping the policies and measures intended to protect them.
Led by the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development Lesotho , with support from World Vision International Lesotho and UNICEF Lesotho, the children’s parliament provides a platform for children to share their experiences and present their priorities directly to Members of Parliament, policymakers, regulators, educators, civil society and development partners.
His Royal Highness Prince Lerotholi Seeiso officially opened the 2026 session and called for child online protection to be placed at the centre of Lesothoโs digital transformation agenda:
He said protecting children online is not only a safeguarding imperative; it is also essential to promoting inclusive digital development and building trust in emerging technologies. As our country advances its digital transformation agenda, child online protection must become a central policy priority rather than an afterthought.
Highlighting the importance of investing in child online protection today he said it is an investment in the countryโs future, its digital citizens and sustainable development.
By placing childrenโs voices at the centre of policymaking, the Childrenโs Parliament is helping shape actions that will enable every child in Lesotho to learn, connect and participate safely in the digital world
