{"id":46004,"date":"2026-05-18T13:37:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T09:37:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/?p=46004"},"modified":"2026-05-18T13:37:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T09:37:42","slug":"mauritius-telecom-bolsters-digital-safety-for-minors-with-new-parental-control-launch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/mauritius-telecom-bolsters-digital-safety-for-minors-with-new-parental-control-launch\/","title":{"rendered":"Mauritius Telecom bolsters Digital Safety for Minors with new Parental Control launch"},"content":{"rendered":"

Technology & Digital Security<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

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Mauritius Telecom (MT) has reached a significant milestone in its commitment to digital security with the official launch of my.t protect Parental Control<\/strong>. Introduced this week at Telecom Tower by CEO Veemal Gungadin in the presence of MT’s Chairman Sarat Lallah, this new tool is designed specifically to safeguard minors in an increasingly complex online landscape. The launch event saw high-level support from key government figures, including Dr Avinash Ramtohul, Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Police Commissioner Rampersad Sooroojebally and the Ombudsperson for Children, Aneeta Ghoorah, underscoring the national importance of child online protection.<\/p>\n

This initiative represents the second phase of the Child Online Protection (COP) programme, a collaborative effort involving the Ministries of IT, Gender Equality, and Education. It follows the successful December 2025 rollout of the “my.t protect SIM<\/strong>,” which provided automated filtering for mobile data users. While the initial phase focused on securing mobile connections by blocking harmful sites and certain VPNs, this latest evolution offers a comprehensive ecosystem powered by Norton Family, ensuring protection across all devices and connection types.<\/p>\n

The service provides a robust suite of features designed to give parents “peace of mind,” as emphasized by CEO Veemal Gungadin. Central to the offering is content filtering, which automatically blocks access to violent or inappropriate websites. Furthermore, the tool includes screen time management to help families establish healthy digital habits by setting daily limits and usage windows. Beyond content, the service integrates real-time geolocation and instant alerts, notifying parents of suspicious activities or attempts to bypass security barriers.<\/p>\n

Accessibility and simplicity were prioritized in the design of the user experience. Parents can activate the service via any my.t channel and manage their child\u2019s digital footprint through a single, intuitive dashboard. Priced at Rs 160 per month for existing customers (and an annual option for non-customers), the service is positioned as an affordable alternative to direct international subscriptions. For Mauritius Telecom, this move reinforces the philosophy that true digital inclusion must be built on a foundation of safety, responsibility, and trust.<\/p>\n

Global context: how other nations implement parental controls<\/strong><\/p>\n

The initiative taken by Mauritius Telecom aligns with a global trend where governments and telecommunications providers are shifting from passive advice to active technical safeguards. Here are a few examples of how other countries manage digital safety for minors:<\/p>\n

* The United Kingdom (The Online Safety Act):<\/strong> The UK has pioneered some of the strictest regulations in the world. Beyond service provider tools, the law mandates that tech giants proactively remove illegal content and protect children from “harmful” but legal content (such as cyberbullying or promotion of self-harm). Failure to comply can result in massive fines for the companies.<\/p>\n

* South Korea (The “Cinderella” Logic):<\/strong> Known for its “Shutdown Law” (though recently transitioned to more flexible “selective shutdown” systems), South Korea has long experimented with mandatory age-verification systems for online gaming. Telecommunications companies there often provide state-mandated apps that allow parents to monitor usage and block specific categories of apps by default.<\/p>\n

* France (Mandatory Parental Control Law):<\/strong> In 2022, France passed legislation requiring manufacturers of smartphones, tablets, and computers to install a pre-activated, easy-to-configure parental control system on all devices sold within the country. This shifts the burden from the ISP (like Mauritius Telecom) to the device manufacturer (like Apple or Samsung).<\/p>\n

* Australia (eSafety Commissioner):<\/strong> Australia was the first country to appoint a dedicated “eSafety Commissioner.” This government body works directly with ISPs to block “Class 1” material (the most harmful content) at the network level, ensuring a baseline of safety even before a parent installs a specific app like Norton.<\/p>\n

It is encouraging to see Mauritius moving toward a hybrid model that combines network-level protection (the SIM phase) with user-level empowerment (the Norton Family phase). While technology is a powerful shield, the most effective “parental control” remains open communication between parents and children regarding the risks of the digital world. The affordability of this local solution is a significant step in making high-tier security accessible to all socioeconomic levels in the country.<\/p>\n

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Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 15 May 2026<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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