TODAY, let us turn our attention to a growing concern that affects children, teenagers, adults and families alike: Cyber ethics and online safety. In an age where AI can create realistic images, videos and even voices staying safe online is no longer optional. What we post, whom we interact with and which links we click can have consequences far beyond the screen. There was a time when communication meant letters, postcards, telegrams and face-to-face conversations. Today, a message can travel across the world in just seconds. Social media has brought people closer, made information accessible and simplified our daily lives. But every convenience comes with responsibility. The internet, created to connect people can also become a tool for harassment, fraud and humiliation. A fake account can damage someone’s reputation, a private photograph can be misused and a single misleading post can spread faster than the truth.

 

The real problem is not technology but how people choose to use it. Artificial Intelligence has opened doors to creativity and innovation but its misuse is becoming a serious concern. One disturbing example is deepfake technology, which can make a person appear to say or do something they never actually said or did. Fake videos, cloned voices and morphed photographs can be used to spread misinformation, damage reputations, blackmail individuals or deceive families. Imagine receiving a video that appears to show someone you know asking for money. Would you believe it immediately? In today’s world, even familiar faces and voices may not be enough to prove that something is genuine. And so we must pause, verify and think before believing or sharing digital content. Have you ever received a friend request from someone you do not know and discover that the account is fake? Some people create fake profiles to impersonate others, spread rumours, send threatening messages or monitor someone’s online activities. For the victim, however, the pain is real. A fake account does not make the harm any less real. Online insults, threats, blackmail and the spreading of private information can affect a person’s confidence, relationships and peace of mind. Cyberbullying is not harmless fun. Its consequences may include anxiety, emotional distress, isolation and a loss of self-esteem. We must never forget that there is a human being behind every screen. Women’s online safety deserves special attention. Many women and girls face unwanted messages, repeated harassment, cyberstalking, threats and the unauthorised sharing or manipulation of their photographs. Some offenders create fake profiles using women’s names and pictures. Others use morphed images or AI-generated intimate content to threaten, shame or blackmail them. Personal details may also be exposed online to encourage further harassment.

 

The consequences can extend beyond the internet, affecting a woman’s dignity, safety, family life and professional reputation. So what can we do to stay safe? We can simply; think before posting, verify before trusting, check before accepting requests, stand against cyberbullying, report evidence, and most importantly not suffering in silence. Cybercrime can be reported through the official portal at https://cybercrime.gov.in . The national cybercrime helpline number 1930 is particularly relevant for reporting financial cyber fraud. Let us pledge this Navratri to pause before we post, verify before we believe, seek consent before we share and show kindness even when we disagree. Let us make the digital world a safer space for everyone.