Cyber Awareness Program Organized by Cyber Station at Navayug Vidyalaya; DM Alankrita Pandey Advises Students to Remain Alert on Social Media, Warns Against Misuse of Photos
Bhagalpur, Chief Correspondent: In the current digital age where the internet and social media have made our lifestyles extremely convenient, the threat of cybercrime associated with it is also increasing rapidly. School students and the young generation, in particular, easily become victims of these online scams without realizing it. Sensing this grave threat and with the objective of making the young generation digitally safe and aware, a special cyber awareness program was organized at Navayug Vidyalaya in Bhagalpur. Held under the joint auspices of the District Cyber Police Station and the administration, the event featured Bhagalpur District Magistrate (DM) Alankrita Pandey as the chief guest. Interacting directly with the students, the DM offered invaluable advice to remain alert at every step in the internet world and taught them the fundamentals of digital security.
Digital Literacy and Security Are Today's Greatest Need: DM Alankrita Pandey
Addressing the program, District Magistrate Alankrita Pandey stated that today's children and youth make extensive use of digital technology for everything from studies to entertainment. Technology is a boon for us, but if even the slightest carelessness is exercised, it can turn into a curse. Using simple and practical examples, she explained to the students that not everything that glitters in the virtual world of the internet is true.
The DM particularly emphasized that children must understand that whatever they see or read on social media platforms is not necessarily 100% true. Trapped in the web of fake news, misleading messages, and enticing advertisements, young people often end up causing harm to themselves or their families. She appealed to the students to use social media with complete mindfulness, responsibility, and alertness.
Strict Warning Regarding Misuse of Photos and Personal Data
During the program, DM Alankrita Pandey issued her strongest warning regarding the security of students' personal photographs and personal data. She stated in unequivocal terms that they should completely avoid sharing their or their family members' photos, mobile numbers, home addresses, or other sensitive information with any unknown person or on public social media platforms.
She cautioned that nowadays, artificial intelligence (AI) and morphing techniques are being misused to tamper with photographs. Anti-social elements and cyber criminals exploit these photos to commit crimes such as blackmailing, creating fake accounts, or financial fraud. The DM gave the following lessons to the children:
Do Not Accept Unauthorized Friend Requests: Completely avoid accepting friend requests on Facebook, Instagram, or other social media platforms from anyone they do not know personally.
Do Not Share OTP or Passwords: Never share confidential information related to bank accounts, UPI PINs, or passwords with anyone over the phone or chat.
Avoid Location Sharing: Refrain from putting real-time locations or minute-by-minute details of activities live or in public mode on social media.
Cyber Police Station Officials Share Technical Information and Preventive Measures
Educating the students from a technical standpoint during the program, officials from the cyber police station explained what immediate steps should be taken instead of panicking if someone falls victim to cyber fraud or online harassment. The officials shared the following important information with the children:
Cyber Helpline Number '1930': In the event of financial fraud, immediately register a complaint by calling the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or the helpline number 1930. Filing a complaint within the initial few hours (known as the 'Golden Hours') significantly increases the chances of recovering the defrauded amount.
Use of the Cyber Portal: The procedure for registering complaints regarding online harassment, threats, or fake profiles on the official website cybercrime.gov.in was explained.
Use Strong Passwords: Always use strong passwords (a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters) for social media and email accounts and change them periodically.
Enthusiasm Among Students and Praise for the School Family
Students showed keen interest in this awareness program held at Navayug Vidyalaya. The children asked several questions related to cyber security, which the officials and the DM answered in a very simple manner. The school's teachers and management committee highly praised this initiative by the district administration and the cyber police station. They believed that imparting such practical lessons on life safety to children alongside bookish knowledge is the greatest demand of the present time.
This cyber awareness program organized at Navayug Vidyalaya in Bhagalpur served as an important message not just for the students, but for society as a whole. If the warnings issued by District Magistrate Alankrita Pandey and the preventive measures explained by the cyber police are internalized by the youth in their lives, they can undoubtedly stay safe from the clutches of cybercriminals. In this era of digital empowerment, vigilance is the greatest shield of security, and this program proved to be a milestone in fulfilling that very objective.
