Google announces fund to support online safety in Africa.
Marking World Safer Internet Day Google though its philanthropy arm is launching a one million USD pan-African fund. To help in promoting online safety and keeping children safe online. To achieve this, google will empower social enterprises and non profits with project ideas focused on digital literacy and online safety.
Google also launched a children online literacy program, Be Internet Awesome initiative in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. It will work with partners to teach kids how to be safe, confident explorers of the online world.
The company announced this in a statement on its Africa social media page.
“Today we are launching Be Internet Awesome in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa. We will be working with our partners across the region to teach kids how to be safe, confident explorers of the online world. To help in promoting online safety, @Googleorg will be launching a $1M fund. Will be open to nonprofits to work on project that is focused on keeping children safe online.“
Google notes the core of its Be Internet Awesome initiative is working as a unit with parents, children and educators. On the ground rules that keep them safe online.
“Be Internet Awesome” is designed to help children practice smart tactics for analyzing and evaluating information, sharing media with caution, protecting and securing private data, and handling cyberbullying, for example.
Google is currently receiving an expression of interest from organizations who will like to access in the grant.
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Tech giants Google hold second #GoogleForNigeria event.
#GoogleForNigeria 2018 showcased Google’s latest offerings for the Africa region. From android go apps to lite data saving go apps, services, free Wifi spots across Nigeria and Go devices for the Africa region.
Getting the event underway the Google Nigeria country director, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor spoke about googles decade on the continent. She mentioned Google’s desire to “build more products and programs that work for the African people and their various hustles”. “Smartphone usage is growing and users need to have products that work for them” said Juliet.
Watch Highlights from the #GoogleForNigeria Playground
Google announced low cost Android Go devices and a new lite version of Android Oreo, “Android Oreo Go”. This version google says “is a configuration of Android optimized for smartphones with 1GB of RAM memory or less“. It will come pre-installed with Google apps to take up 50 percent less space.
Some device partners for the $50 smart phones are “Transsion, Nokia, Huawei and Mobicel”. These devices will be available across 30 African countries.
“Through Android Go, we’re enabling entry-level devices to be affordable, fully functioning smartphones that can browse the web and use apps. This is all part of our aim of helping more people to get access to computing. And of our ongoing commitment to building platforms and products that are useful for billions and that help people to make the most of the internet“.
Google Nigeria in partnership with 21st Century Technologies are introducing Google Stations. This will be free Wi-Fi hotspots destinations across Nigeria. The plan is to have 200 hotspot across the country by 2019. Currently there are 6 destinations in Lagos where this is already live. Landmark event center, The Palms Mall, University of Lagos, Murtala Mohammed Airport, Domestic Terminal, Ikeja City Mall and Computer Village.
The google playground from the highlights video above showcased lite app versions that are data saving centric. Applications like Google Go, Google Maps Go, YouTube Go.
Google will also be increasing street view to 7 more cities in Lagos as they expand their discover Nigeria gallery.
Google invites Creators, Innovators, Business owners and Hustlers for the second Google for Nigeria event.
This is the second of a possible annual event and is set to take place in Lagos, Nigeria. Google invites innovators, creators, business owners or anyone with a hustle to join them for the Google for Nigeria event. Scheduled for the 26th and 27th of July 2018 at the Landmark event center, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event will bring google platform users, partners and other stakeholders together for a learning session. Google will use the event to highlight new products, and investments across the continent. There will also be a digital playground for attendees to explore, learn and play with the latest platform products. Masterclasses will also be available to teach creators and publishers on how to tell stories and make money.
Here is what google says about the event;
“In Africa, we want to bring the internet to life for everyone. By helping users connect to the Internet in a way that supports their various hustles. And helps them make a positive impact on their communities. To us, this means a great experience no matter the device. Removing frictions to access and uplifting and changing lives through the power of technology. This is why we’re calling all Nigerian creators, innovators, business owners – anyone with a hustle to join us for the second Google for Nigeria (#GoogleForNigeria) event.”
