Strengthening Cyber Safety Skills for Children in India

Rhea-AI Summary

Gen and Save the Children have successfully trained over 10,000 students, parents, and educators in India on cyber safety skills between March 2023 and April 2024. The initiative, implemented through Gen's Norton brand, reached 8,300 children, 1,210 parents, 635 SMC members, and 275 teachers across 40 schools in Pune and Thiruvallur. The program achieved an 81% increase in participants' cyber safety knowledge. Additional awareness campaigns through digital and on-ground activations reached nearly 207,000 people indirectly, while social media engagement touched approximately 263,000 people. The initiative addresses rising cybercrime concerns in India, where child cybercrime increased by 32% in one year.

Positive

• Successful implementation of cyber safety training program reaching over 10,000 direct beneficiaries
• 81% increase in participants' cyber safety knowledge post-training
• Extensive reach through digital campaigns engaging 263,000 people
• Indirect impact on 207,000 people through community awareness initiatives

Negative

• None.

Norton and Save the Children reach more than 10,000 students, parents and educators

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2024 / Gen

Gen Blog | Community

Written by Amanda Davis | Sr. Manager, CR and Environment

Young people all over the world are vulnerable to cybercrime. A recent study from the DQ Institute found that an estimated 70% of children and adolescents globally were exposed to cyber risk at some point during 2023, and the overall rate of cybercrime is expected to rise in the coming years.

India is no exception. The National Crime Records Bureau found that child cybercrime in the country has risen 32% in just one year, and young people often demonstrate low awareness of the importance of data privacy and internet safety.

We know this is an area where Gen can help. Through Norton, one of our trusted Cyber Safety brands, and its partnership with Bal Raksha Bharat (BRB), also known as Save the Children - India, we were able to reach more than 10,000 young people, parents, family members and educators with Cyber Safety skills training between March 2023 and April 2024. These skills will not only help children stay safe online but also build lasting, healthy digital habits.

Empowering Educators to Teach Cyber Safety

At 40 schools in Pune, Maharashtra, and Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, BBR staffers trained schoolteachers on bespoke Cyber Safety learning modules that Norton helped develop. The two modules-one for students between the ages of 10 and 12, another for ages 13 to 16-covered the basics of threats that young people are likely to face online, from phishing attacks to identity theft to scams. Teachers then delivered these lessons to students and community members.

In total, the effort reached more than 10,000 people across these school communities, including:

• 8,300 children (surpassing an initial target of 6,060),

• 1,210 parents,

• 635 SMC members (a parent and teacher organization), and

• 275 teachers (surpassing the target of 220).

BRB also conducted a post-training assessment, which demonstrated an 81% increase in participants' overall Cyber Safety knowledge.

Driving Community Awareness

Cybercrime can affect anyone at any age. The lessons shared in these modules are relevant not only to people across these school communities but also to India at large.

To spread the word, BRB led several digital and on-the-ground activations that raised awareness of the dangers of cybercrime and how to stay Cyber Safe. These included small group meetings, voice calls and SMS messaging throughout the villages in Pune and Thiruvallur where the trainings took place. BRB also hosted workshops on cybercrime for law enforcement officials in these communities, with more planned in 2024. These efforts reached nearly 207,000 people indirectly.

The organization also promoted a cybercrime reporting helpline, as well as information about various online risks, on social media. Building on BRB's existing partnership with Yuvaa and their #BeDigiSmart campaign, the campaign's content saw engagement from nearly 263,000 people.

For more information on how we provide Cyber Safety education and training, check out our 2024 Social Impact Report. This grant was awarded from the Gen Foundation, a corporate advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

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SOURCE: Gen

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

How many people did Gen's cyber safety program reach in India during 2023-2024?

Gen's cyber safety program directly reached over 10,000 people, including 8,300 children, 1,210 parents, 635 SMC members, and 275 teachers across 40 schools in India.

What was the improvement rate in cyber safety knowledge after Gen's training program?

According to the post-training assessment, participants showed an 81% increase in their overall cyber safety knowledge.

Which Indian cities were covered in Gen's cyber safety education initiative?

The program was implemented in schools across Pune, Maharashtra, and Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu.

How many people did Gen's cyber safety awareness campaign reach indirectly?

The awareness campaign reached approximately 207,000 people indirectly through community activities and nearly 263,000 people through social media engagement.