New Delhi Sep 13: A series of workshops were conducted on online safety and sexual and reproductive health, sensitised students on ‘Safety Se Dosti’ in Lucknow, Delhi, Patna, Bangalore, Ranchi, Darbhanga.
Participants said there is a need to increasingly focus on the issue of digital literacy, particularly for young people navigating today’s interconnected world. This gives greater significance to an initiative where a series of workshops have been conducted across India to promote digital literacy, online safety, and adolescent health and well-being among students.
In an era of rapidly expanding digital access, adolescents are increasingly susceptible to various forms of online victimization. A UN report indicates that over a third of young people in 30 countries have experienced cyberbullying. Moreover, the UN has voiced concerns over children’s exposure to hate speech, violent content, disinformation, and risks of online sexual exploitation. More than 80% of children in 25 countries are at risk of online sexual abuse, according to UN findings.
Commenting on the impact these workshops had on students, Tejwinder Singh Anand, Lead – Technology and Communications at Population Foundation of India, says, “The workshops elucidated the importance of consent even in online communications, the necessity of guarding private information, and the potential repercussions of engaging with scammers and predators. SnehAI instantly puts adolescents at ease because it communicates like a concerned and trusted friend and in a language that they understand. Among other things, students also learned the potential consequences of oversharing personal or financial information online and clicking on unfamiliar links or trusting suspicious content online.”
By focusing on digital literacy, online safety, and adolescent health and well-being, these workshops represent a crucial step in equipping the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the complexities of the digital age.
