The role of parents is very important in safeguarding their children during the use of internet and to prevent children and women from such crime massive awareness is required, said experts in a “State Level Workshop on Online Safety” organised by People’s Cultural Centre (PECUC) in collaboration with Foraldralosa Barn on virtual platform.
Executive director of PECUC Anuradha Mohanty gave the welcome address and shared the purpose of the workshop and she also moderated the entire session.
PECUC secretary Ranjan Kumar Mohanty said during the Covid 19 pandemic situation, cyber crime has increased manifold and it has affected the safety and security of the internet users especially children, young boys and girls. The use of social media increased and everyone starting from village to city are able to access it.
As people are not aware about the threat and crimes of internet, cases like false marriage and child trafficking are also increasing. So massive awareness is necessary for the safe use of internet as it is now an indispensible part of our life, he told. Country Director of Adoptionscentrum Ruby Rout said, "We must give time to our children and discuss with them about the sites which they should not open or access and which they should access so that they will be aware about it and remain safe in the internet." State Programme Manager ,Odisha State Child Protection Society (SCPS), Bhubaneswar Pritikanta Panda said, "We have to be extra careful when we are using it and we also should immediately report any threat or crime to police." Former Senior Technical Director (R), National Informatics Centre Rabindra Narayan Behera said children and women are the major target of the cyber crime.
Communication expert Sushree Shailani Suman said children should be made aware of the safe use of internet. Chairperson PECUC Dr Minakshi Panda stressed on mass awareness on safe use of internet. More than 100 participants including CSOs of different districts of Odisha, ASHAs, PRIS, AWWs, teachers, members of SHG groups and children joined.
Dr Sumitra Mohanty of PECUC gave the vote of thanks.