Moreover, to ensure the safety of children when expressing themselves online it was suggested that it be included in the curriculum. This will allow students to become more responsible in exercising their freedoms and not do so in an abusive and bullying manner.133 Suggestions were also made to consider the blocking of certain sites or placing strict controls in place.134 DID YOU KNOW? GET SAFE ONLINE SAMOA PLATFORM Get Safe Online Samoa platform was launched in 2021 by Get Safe Online (UK-based organization) and the MCIT under the Get Safe Online Pacific project. The Get Safe Online websites provide simple, helpful tips on a wide range of online security issues. The platform raises awareness of the risks and safety measures which will protect people from online security risks including phishing scams, identity theft, ransomware, malware, viruses and other online threats. It also provides useful information for parents, youth and children regarding safe use of social media, misinformation, oversharing and blogging. Get Safe Online Samoa Platform is in both English and Samoan languages and has both a business and personal component. Browse Get Safe Online Samoa platform here: https://www.getsafeonline.ws/ The potential risks associated with children accessing the Internet, has seen many countries placing restrictions on internet use, with protection policies tending to focus exclusively on the risks posed by the Internet.135 Samoa almost took a similar stance with its plans to ban Facebook, although mainly for curbing defamation and breaches to individual privacy.136 However, it is important to note that while intentions to restrict internet access may be good, others have used it as a way to curb freedoms of expression and speech. Therefore in undertaking measures to restrict or limit internet access, “human rights norms call for a balanced approach where restrictions on communications conform to strict tests of necessity and proportionality”.137 Recommendations: 12. The Government to introduce legislative and non-legislative measures to ensure the safety of children online. 13. Awareness raising in schools regarding the safe and responsible use of the internet must be ongoing and included in the curriculum. 14. Technology service providers must provide resources to assist with public awareness and educational programmes about online safety of children and their access to unsuitable materials, online abuse and bullying, based on the principle of corporate responsibility. 133 Talamua written submission. Focus group consultations (Vaie’e). 135 UNGA, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, (21 August 2014) https://undocs.org/A/69/335, para 65. 136 See Soli Wilson, “Govt. Facebook ban could backfire” Samoa Observer (27 July 2020) https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/67488. 137 UNGA, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, (21 August 2014) https://undocs.org/A/69/335, para 4. 134 State of Human Rights Report 2021 | 35