Digital technologies and the internet play a growing role in the education and social development of children and young people in Papua New Guinea (PNG), bringing both new opportunities and significant risks. Although many children access online devices at home or school, there is limited research on how these technologies are used—or potentially misused—in the Pacific region. This gap in knowledge is concerning given the region’s high rates of violence against children and the rapid growth in internet access.

To address this, the Online Safety for Children and Youth in Papua New Guinea project, initiated by Save the Children Australia and funded by Meta, aims to build a stronger evidence base around online safety in PNG. Focusing on school environments, the project assessed current programs, resources, and policy frameworks, explored how online platforms impact youth wellbeing and education, and identified challenges in accessing safety information and reporting mechanisms for students, teachers, and parents.

The research, led by the Young and Resilient Research Centre, combined a literature review with participatory workshops involving 32 children in Port Moresby and focus groups with 8 stakeholders. These efforts sought to elevate the voices and lived experiences of young people and community members to inform more locally grounded and effective online safety initiatives in PNG.