As part of its Digital Wise initiative, the International Foundation for Digital Child (IFDC) hosted an impactful school-based awareness program at Marapola Mahadivyalaya, Minuwangoda. The session, held on August 8, 2024, was attended by 500 students from grades 11, 12, and 13, including approximately 250 female students.
The program addressed critical issues related to online safety, including the prevention of online child sexual abuse. Key topics covered were cyberbullying, sexting, sextortion, cyber grooming, and the exploitation of children online. The discussions also touched upon the responsible use of technology and the impact of algorithms on children.
The session, developed in consultation with the school principal, M.S.K. Dayananda, featured interactive training designed to engage students. The trainer provided strategies for identifying and combating online grooming tactics, such as the use of false identities, emotional manipulation, material incentives, and coercive sexual exchanges.
Students actively participated in the training, sharing their insights and ideas on how to confront these online threats. They gained crucial knowledge on preventing and addressing cyberbullying, sexting, and sextortion, and were equipped with skills to recognize and manage inappropriate content while safeguarding themselves from online exploitation.
Towards the end of the session, IFDC hosted a quiz competition for the students, featuring questions related to the responsibilities of children in dealing with online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
