Google to educate Kerala students on cyber security

Kerala schools are transitioning from traditional to digital classrooms, and not many are aware of the most unanticipated safety issues that come along with this, cyber security and child protection challenges. 
 

Now, Google itself has come to the rescue of school students. The tech giant will impart lessons on cyber security to students of schools in Kasargod district in Kerala. The district education office has joined hands with Google to educate students on cyber security issues like fishing, child pornography, sexting, cyberbullying, internet addiction and other traps. 
 

The programme will be implemented in different phases. In the first step, training would be given to a teacher and two students selected from each school.  On completion of training, they would hand over the input to other faculty and students in the school. 
 

"The preliminary phase will be rolled out by January end. Google will bear expenses and provide resource materials and certificates to participants," District Collector K Jeevan Babu said. 

Authorities are also planning to integrate student-centric cyber awareness programme of cyber cell of Kerala Police with the programme. "The first phase would be introduced among high school and higher secondary school students. The second phase will be extended to upper primary classes," the collector said. 
 

It was found that the students are increasingly using cyberspace for substance abuse. They find it a safe zone. Even inter-state rackets are making use of the opportunity and are preying on students. This would be fatal. Hence it is important to spread awareness among students on the do's and doesn't in cyberspace, Deputy Director of Education E K Suresh Kumar said. 

Kasargod has a large number of NRI population, and hence internet connection is available in most homes. "Students whose parents, at least father, are abroad are the main target of rackets. In most cases, mothers are not internet savvy, and children are taking advantage of the situation," a police officer said. 

• Google
• cyber security
• Kasargod school
• cyber security lessons
• cyberbullying
• fishing
• child pornography
• sexting
• internet addiction