Tag: online safety

EduConnect

Cyber Smart Generation: Awareness Drive Held at St. Francis Xavier’s High School, Siolim

Tanisha Cardozo

A significant step towards building digital awareness among young students was witnessed in Siolim, Goa, as a cyber awareness and online safety programme was conducted at St. Francis Xavier’s High School on 25th February 2026. The initiative was organised by the Siolim Free Legal Aid Cell of V.M. Salgaocar College of Law, aiming to equip students with essential knowledge to navigate the increasingly complex digital world safely.

The session was led by PSI Sahil Vijay Warang, Police Sub-Inspector from Anjuna Police Station, who addressed the students as the guest speaker. His talk focused on the growing threats of cybercrime and the importance of awareness as the first line of defence. The programme was held in the presence of Fr. Dilip Tete, Headmaster of the school, and Fr. Marcos Dsouza, Principal of the Higher Secondary section, both of whom appreciated the initiative and its relevance in today’s digital age.

With participation from approximately 600 to 650 students, along with teachers and members of the Legal Aid Cell, the session turned into an engaging and insightful learning experience. Students were introduced to the concept of cybercrime as an “unseen danger,” where criminals often exploit human emotions such as fear, greed, and curiosity rather than relying solely on advanced technology.

PSI Warang shared real-life examples of various online frauds, including fake investment schemes, job scams, sextortion cases, fake loan applications, impersonation frauds, matrimonial scams, and online booking frauds. He also explained newer threats such as digital arrest scams and emotional manipulation tactics, helping students understand how easily individuals can fall prey without proper awareness.

A key focus of the session was on developing a responsible digital mindset. Students were encouraged to stay cautious while using social media platforms, online games, and digital payment systems. Practical tips were shared on identifying suspicious links, protecting personal information, and verifying online transactions before taking action.

The session also introduced students to important safety resources such as the National Cybercrime Helpline 1930 and official cybercrime reporting platforms, empowering them with tools to seek help in case of any online threat. The interactive nature of the programme allowed students to actively participate, ask questions, and relate to real-world scenarios discussed during the session.

Faculty members, including Assistant Professor Shreya Shah, who serves as the Faculty Incharge of the Legal Aid Cell, along with student coordinators and school staff, played a key role in organising the event. Their efforts ensured that the programme was both informative and impactful.

The event concluded with a strong message: awareness is the most powerful defence against cybercrime. As students left the session more informed and alert, the programme successfully reinforced the importance of staying vigilant in an increasingly digital world.

TechPulse

DITE&C Sensitizes Officials on Cyber Hygiene and Responsible AI Use on Safer Internet Day

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Altinho, February 10, 2026: Marking Safer Internet Day, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) organised an awareness session at the IT Hub, Altinho, Panaji, to sensitise government officials about growing cyber threats, online vulnerabilities, and safe digital practices.


The session was held under the theme “Smart Tech, Safe Choices – Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI” and aimed to promote cyber hygiene and responsible engagement with emerging technologies.

Addressing the gathering, Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS, Secretary of IT, emphasised that internet safety is a shared responsibility. He noted that awareness initiatives are essential to empower government officials, citizens, and youth to recognise digital risks and contribute to building a secure online ecosystem.

Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, highlighted the importance of responsible online behaviour in an era of increasing screen time and rapid AI adoption. He stated that as Goa progresses towards digital empowerment, ensuring protection against cyber threats and consistently practising safe online habits remains crucial.

Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C, welcomed the participants and encouraged them to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen digital security in their respective roles.

The session was conducted by Sharda Katare, Head of the State e-Governance Mission Team (SeMT), Goa, as part of the nationwide Safer Internet Day campaign led by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The workshop featured video-based learning modules, discussions on key cyber threats, mitigation strategies, and responsible AI usage. Participants also shared personal experiences related to online fraud, making the session interactive and practical.

Fiona D’costa, Assistant Director, DITE&C, proposed the vote of thanks.

Through such initiatives, DITE&C reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Goa’s digital ecosystem by promoting safe internet practices and responsible AI adoption among officials and citizens alike.

TechPulse

Cogniflux Cybersecurity Workshops Impact Nearly 8,000 Participants Across Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Rency Gomes, Team Allycaral

The 4th edition of the Cybersecurity Awareness Workshops organised by Cogniflux in Goa, held from January 7 to 10, 2026, concluded as a resounding success, benefiting nearly 8,000 students, parents, working professionals, and government staff across the state. The four-day initiative was led by Dr Rakshit Tandon, one of India’s foremost cybersecurity experts, whose experience and insights played a pivotal role in shaping the programme’s impact.

Conducted across multiple institutions and platforms, the workshops focused on addressing the growing challenges of cybercrime and digital vulnerability in an increasingly connected world. Participants were educated on critical topics such as online fraud, cybercrime prevention, data protection, digital privacy, and the responsible use of the internet and social media. The sessions were designed to be practical and age-appropriate, ensuring that participants from diverse backgrounds could relate to and apply the learnings in their daily digital lives.

Dr Tandon’s interactive and relatable approach helped simplify complex cybersecurity concepts, empowering attendees with actionable knowledge to protect themselves and their families online. The workshops reinforced the importance of awareness, vigilance, and informed digital behaviour as essential tools in combating cyber threats.

The organisers highlighted that achieving such a large-scale outreach would not have been possible without the unwavering support of Cogniflux’s sponsors, partners, and well-wishers. Their continued encouragement and collaboration enabled the initiative to reach thousands across Goa, further strengthening Cogniflux’s mission of creating a safer, more cyber-aware society.

International

Australia’s Bold Social Media Crackdown: Will Kids Actually Log Off?

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral International Desk

Australia has entered a new digital era as it begins enforcing its controversial move to remove children under 16 from social media. The government has framed the shift as a necessary intervention to protect young people from online harm, but many kids have no intention of logging off. In fact, a recent survey of more than 17,000 Australian youths showed that three-quarters plan to keep using social platforms even after the ban begins, and only a small fraction believe the change will work. In the days leading up to the rollout, teens traded tips on bypassing restrictions and encouraged each other to migrate to more obscure apps, raising fresh concerns about children drifting into even less regulated online spaces. With the ban landing just as the long summer holiday begins, the timing adds a layer of complexity for families and regulators.

While Australia describes the legislation as world-leading, skepticism remains widespread. Hard age limits might block some young teens today only to usher them in the moment they turn 16, without ever addressing the conditions that make these platforms risky in the first place. Research from the American Psychological Association has emphasized that age alone isn’t a reliable measure of digital readiness and that blanket bans don’t confront the underlying design choices that keep kids hooked. Even so, many Australians support the move, tired of hearing about the tragic consequences of unchecked online spaces. Reports of youth suicides, drug access and harassment have made it clear that the status quo isn’t working. Surveys from the US, UK and Australia continue to show alarming rates of online grooming, unwanted sexual content and growing concerns about the mental health impact of algorithm-driven feeds.

Critics argue the ban risks cutting off essential community spaces for marginalized young people, including LGBTQ, Indigenous and rural teens whose primary peer networks often exist online. Others point to loopholes: kids can still watch YouTube anonymously, and platforms like Roblox are exempt by categorizing their social features as gaming. And of course, many digitally savvy teens will inevitably find a way around the new rules. Still, the policy sends a clear message to Silicon Valley: governments are no longer willing to accept passivity from tech companies when it comes to youth safety. If more countries follow, platforms may be forced to redesign their systems, strengthen protections and take responsibility for growing evidence of harm.

Australia’s ban is far from perfect, and no one should expect it to trigger a nostalgic return to analog childhoods. But it has ignited a vital global debate about balancing protection with connection and about reshaping digital spaces to serve young people rather than endanger them. If raising a child takes a village, protecting them online requires an even larger one. Australia has taken a first step. Others will now have to decide whether they follow—or leave the future of childhood in the hands of tech giants.

International

Australia Bans Social Media Accounts for Under-16s, Including YouTube, from December 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

MELBOURNE, July 30 — In a historic reversal of its earlier decision, the Australian government has confirmed that YouTube will be included in its upcoming ban on social media platforms for children under 16. This groundbreaking regulation takes effect on December 10, 2025, and will subject non-compliant platforms to fines as high as AU$50 million (US$33 million).

YouTube was originally exempt from the legislation passed in November 2024, which introduced age restrictions for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X. However, following new research and public concern, Communications Minister Anika Wells announced that YouTube will no longer receive special treatment.

“The evidence cannot be ignored that four out of 10 Australian kids report that their most recent harm was on YouTube,” said Wells. “We will not be intimidated by legal threats when this is a genuine fight for the wellbeing of Australian kids.”

The ban prohibits children under 16 from creating social media accounts, though it does not entirely block access to platforms or their content. This means children may still view videos but cannot sign in or interact via personal accounts.

YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc., criticized the decision, calling it a reversal of a prior public commitment. The company insists that it functions as a video-sharing platform, not social media.

“Our position remains clear: YouTube is not social media,” a spokesperson said. “We’ll consider next steps and continue engaging with the government.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese voiced his strong support for the measure and announced that Australia would push for global social media age bans at a United Nations forum in New York this September.

While critics have raised questions about implementation, Minister Wells confirmed that the government would not require sensitive ID documents like passports or driver’s licenses. Instead, platforms are expected to use non-invasive age verification technologies.

Exemptions to the ban include platforms and apps dedicated to education, health, online gaming, and private messaging.

The move comes amid growing concern about the negative effects of social media on children, including mental health issues, sleep disruption, addiction, and exposure to harmful content.

This Australian-led initiative may mark a turning point in how nations approach child protection in the digital age.