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In the post COVID world, the number of children with online access has increased exponentially, and it is imperative to sensitize them about cyber hygiene and cyber risks. Since 2018, the Rotary Club of Poona West’s online safety campaign, Cyber Suraksha (Suraksha meaning Safety in Hindi and Sanskrit), has advanced cyber safe practices amongst students, teachers, parents, and school heads to create and sustain digitally secure school and college ecosystems.
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The campaign is supported by the local Pune Police force as well as the State Education Board. It covers topics such as the safe use of internet devices, account security, online transactions, cyber hygiene, cyber bullying, sexual offences, social media usage, netiquettes, data security, internet dependency/addiction, and reporting mechanisms. It is conducted through online seminars (live streamed on YouTube/Facebook and asynchronously through prerecorded videos and presentations) as well as on-site interactive workshops for children, parent groups, and teachers. Project organizers also place cyber safety posters in public places where the messaging becomes apparent and visible.
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On each day of October 2023, the global Cyber Security Awareness Day, campaign organizers sent online safety tips to their community. These 31 tips were very well received and the feedback has been absolutely splendid. To date, Rotary Club of Poona West’s Cyber Suraksha has reached out to more than 250,000 individuals. The project is sustainable, low cost and high impact, and it engages Rotarians as well as the members of the community in raising the bar of cyber wellness.
For more information, please e-mail cybersuraksha.rotary@gmail.com.