In a world reshaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, the digital landscape has become an integral part of daily life, especially for children. Recognizing the urgency of cyber safety, SM Shetty International School and Junior College recently hosted an enlightening Cyber Awareness Program, led by Prashant Kendre, a Cyber Cell Officer and Sub-Inspector at the Powai Police Station.
The pandemic accelerated our digital evolution, pushing society forward by at least a decade. Suddenly, children transitioned from the confines of Google Classroom and Zoom meetings to exploring the vast realm of social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. While these platforms offer new ways to connect, they also harbor potential dangers that many young users are unaware of. The responsibility of monitoring this digital exploration has become a Herculean task for both parents and educators.
Addressing these concerns, PSI Prashant Kendre captivated the young audience with his deep insights and firsthand experiences from his work at the police station. He tackled a range of pressing issues that kids face online, painting a vivid picture of the hidden hazards lurking in the digital world. His topics included:
– The insidious nature of cyberbullying and its impact on mental health.
– The ever-present threat of cyber fraud and digital scams.
– The concept of digital arrest and the consequences of reckless online behavior.
– The dangers of sharing inappropriate images and personal information.
– The temptation to create multiple, often deceitful, online personas.
– The unregulated chaos of platforms like Discord and the addictive nature of online gaming.
– The risks associated with hacking, including the theft of personal data and identity.
– The disturbing practice of morphing images to create fake content.
– The prevalent issue of OTP fraud and how to safeguard against it.
– The legal repercussions of juvenile crime in the digital age.
– The troubling trend of substance abuse and vaping among youth.
The session spanned two hours, during which PSI Kendre not only educated but also engaged with the students, fielding their questions and concerns. He concluded by providing crucial emergency contact numbers for reporting cyber crimes, empowering students to take action if necessary.
“We are profoundly grateful to Mr. Kendre for this essential session. It has opened our students’ eyes to the reality that privacy is a myth in the digital age. Nothing is truly private online, and we must exercise utmost caution,” said the school principal.
This proactive initiative by the Powai Police and SM Shetty International School underscores the critical importance of cyber safety education in nurturing a generation that is both digitally savvy and secure.
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