In a latest move, the Delhi Directorate of Education has made it mandatory for government as well as private schools in the city to generate awareness among the students about cybercrime. The purpose of such a move is to make youngsters aware about cybercrime risks and prevent it. In this regard, the DoE has proposed that posters and hoardings with educative messages be put up everywhere in schools, and the Delhi Police will be distributing a set of education brochures to be read in class.
Delhi Police materials generally encompass broad topics of current concern to cybersafety, including major areas of cyberbullying, online fraud and theft, danger posed by online predators, privacy protection, and limiting potential exposure to objectionable material such as access to online pornography. Many of the pamphlets address drug abuse/trafficking issues, and require a heightened sensitivity to protecting a person’s online life-ethics and safe social networking practices.
The thrust of this course is to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to protect themselves effectively from the advancing and complex digital world. “This initiative has been specially designed to educate students on preventing cybercrimes and how to ensure their safety while using the online world,” the DoE stated.
Apart from the distribution of printed material, schools have been directed to engage with local police and cybersecurity experts on having interactive sessions with them. The interactive sessions are planned to be more comprehensive by going into major aspects that have practical guidance on identifying and reporting incidents of cyberbullying, scamming, phishing, setting up a good password, and use of privacy settings.
The involvement of the Delhi Police towards this initiative reflects the commitment of the city to the safety of children in the digital space. The resources offered for education are meant to sensitize the students about these elements, to make them responsible digital citizens who may recognize threats and act toward saving themselves and others from such malicious attacks online.
This proactive undertaking would align with other current efforts at making cybersecurity education as a part of primary school curriculum so that future generations stay safe while navigating the perils of digital incumbency. The move is timely as higher online engagements among young people increase cyber-related incidences and, therefore, students are in special need to be well-equipped on staying safe in this virtual world.
