A city school has been conducting cyber safety workshops for students from the first week of this month at a time when online classes have become the norm and hacking or unauthorised entry into sessions is not uncommon.
BDM International has been conducting session for students of classes III to IX and XI. The school’s vice-principal, Madhumita Seal, said students need to be taught about cyber safety on a regular basis.
She recently took part in a webinar that was hacked and unidentified attendees posted objectionable photographs on the platform.
The organisers later filed a police complaint.
During the sessions at BDM International, rules of online behaviour are being explained to students with the help of pictures to make the sessions more interesting for students, especially those in primary classes.
Teachers can no longer ask students to stay away from mobile phones. “At present, we might as well teach students how to be safe while surfing the Internet,” said Seal.
Be it classes, co-curricular activities, sports or meetings everything now is being conducted online, she said.
BDM International created age-appropriate content for the primary, middle and senior school students that would help them stay safe while surfing the Internet.
“Be smart online”, the sessions suggest.
During the sessions the students are advised not to give out personal information, meet a person they met only on the web and asked them to alert their parents or someone they trust if something is bothering them.
The students are also asked not to share password, location and photographs of themselves on the Internet. The students are also warned against cyber bullying.