Miss Fiji Ailava Samuels has emphasized the importance of kindness and the necessity to combat online abuse, which she identifies as an escalating issue impacting communities. Speaking at the World Safer Internet Day celebration in Nadi, Samuels highlighted the significant rise of Fijians engaging on social media, with statistics from the Fiji Online Safety Commission revealing over 544,000 active users since October 2025.
She pointed out that the swift transition of the populace into the digital realm mandates urgent action to establish safer online environments. The data indicates that a staggering 61 percent of online abuse victims are women, with Facebook responsible for 57 percent of these incidents.
“These aren’t just numbers—each statistic represents a real person, complete with feelings, aspirations, and vulnerabilities,” Samuels remarked. She cautioned that issues such as online bullying and scams could severely impact mental well-being, financial security, and the future prospects of young individuals.
As a call to action, Ms. Samuels urged leaders, role models, and influencers to advocate for responsible online behavior. She emphasized the need to educate youth about the consequences of their digital actions and to actively oppose online hate. Moreover, she stressed the importance of providing support to those impacted by digital violence and fostering a culture of compassion and respect within communities.
Samuels’ passionate plea serves as a timely reminder of the shared responsibility to create a safe internet space that nurtures positive interactions among all users.