substantially lower among non-readers. Access to ICT may also play an important role in improving literacy. 41. In Solomon Islands, literacy rates are improving. According to the 2009 census:22 42.  80% of the 10-14 year old (school age) population were literate  90% the 15-19 year old population were literate  80% of the population aged 45-49 were literate  60% of the population 70 years and older were literate  in urban areas almost 90% of the population 5 years and older was literate  in rural areas only 74% of the population 5 years and older was literate. While ICT have a part to play in developing literacy, these data also suggest a possible need for applications for seniors that do not require the ability to read. 43. Among technical staff, rather than users, much higher ICT skills are needed. Businesses and Government Departments are concerned that few trained IT professionals are available in Solomon Islands. The Government will explore opportunities for ensuring the public and private sectors are in future able to draw on a sufficient pool of ICT talent. The Government will also seek to create opportunities for young people in Solomon Islands to train and qualify as IT professionals. 44. The Government, private sector and universities may be able to coordinate efforts to provide suitable training in Solomon Islands and scholarship programmes for young people to study IT overseas. Such measures will help to ensure that Solomon Islands will have the IT professionals it will in future require. Objectionable content and behaviour, cybercrime, privacy and security 45. Regrettably, the powers that ICT provide, to store, transmit and process large volumes of information at low cost, are used by some for objectionable or criminal purposes. As ICT use grows around the world, so does ICT misuse, including for criminal purposes. The Government must take appropriate steps to protect the public against possible malevolent misuse of ICT. It is essential that, as a 22 These data reflect persons self-reporting as literate, in response to the question: “Can you read and write a simple sentence in one or more of the following languages: English, Pidgin, Local language, or Other language?”. Page | 20 Solomon Islands National ICT Policy