To leverage the spirit of famous adage, Catch them Young, Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE) is pitching for setting up of Cyber Clubs in schools, with a view of insulating the young India from cyber crimes. The idea stems from growing engagement of teenagers to online media. Hence, to insulate the children from the scourge of cyber frauds, steps are being actively considered to reduce any chances of their falling victim. The worry stems from challenges in vast cyber forum as crimes targeting children including online grooming, cyber bullying, identity theft and online harassment are on rise. Therefore, it is decided to step up the awareness and integrate cyber study in curriculum so as to empower children, as their engagement with digital platforms and their susceptibility to on line risks is maximum these days. Therefore, they are required to be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the digital world safely. The initiative is part of directives issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and given the penetration of CBSE schools, it is best way to reach maximum households, as children can become an effective tool in spreading awareness. The schools have been handed out instructions as to integrate awareness about cyber crime in the curriculum to take on the cyber criminals network.

 

 

The Cyber Clubs would conduct structured cyber awareness activities on regular basis. Further, schools are instructed to organise monthly activities such as speeches, quizzes, poster-making competitions, pledge drives, debates, and awareness sessions. Also instructions are issued to observe first Wednesday of every month as Cyber Jagrukta Diwas. Further, cyber awareness activities are to be integrated into annual events, parent- teacher interactions, and through special campaigns for wider outreach. 

 

To ensure that citizens are aware of deceiving tactics and to avoid pitfalls, schools are told to widely disseminate cyber safety advisories, keeping in mind interest of children. They are instructed to put up posters, prepare videos, booklets, and multilingual IEC material developed by Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), functioning under Ministry of Home Affairs, to be disseminated through school websites, social media platforms, digital notice boards, mobile applications, newsletters, and other communication channels. CBSE has said that it is an important national initiative in promoting cyber awareness. Schools have been chosen as they play a crucial role in fostering cyber awareness, promoting responsible online behaviour and educating students about common cyber threats and the preventive measures. For the same, Cyber Hygiene Certificate Course is developed by I4C and it is of 2.5 hrs, and students, teachers and parents may be encouraged to undergo the course.

 

Schools should circulate a Cyber Safety Pledge among students for signature by parents and submission to the school. The pledge may focus on safe online practices, responsible social media use and cyber hygiene. Also, MHA has developed a comic book for children, same can be downloaded by schools and circulated among students.