Technology is all-pervasive across age groups today. Given the many dangers that lurk online, children are especially vulnerable to becoming victims of cybercrime. In an effort to create awareness on cybersecurity and sensitise children, parents and teachers, the Kerala Police Cyberdome organised “Kid Glove 2019” in association with CHILDLINE, Bodhini and Allianz Technology. Launched in 2015, Kid Glove is an initiative by Cyberdome, the technological research and development centre of the Kerala State Police, to create awareness and build capacity to counter and tackle the threats of cyberspace.
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| Dignitaries at the event. Pic: Cyberdome |
The event was held at Nirmala Bhavan School, Trivandrum on October 11th 2019, and saw enthusiastic participation from over 450 students from across 35 schools. It was inaugurated by Loknath Behara IPS - DGP, State Police Chief, in the presence of Manoj Abraham IPS - ADGP HQ, Nodal Officer Cyberdome, Jeevan Babu K IAS - Director of General Education, Dr.Achuth Sankar S Nair - HOD Dept of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Kerala University, Dr. Sr. Mercy Kunnathulurayidam - Principal Nirmala Bhavan and Raji Gouda - Allianz Technology.
Kid Glove 2019 sought to equip students with the knowledge to traverse the World Wide Web effectively while ensuring that they were taking the necessary steps to safeguard themselves. The event included an exhibition, and workshops and awareness sessions on themes such as protecting online privacy, responding to online bullies, basic cybersecurity measures that could be taken and more. A life-size version of Snakes and Ladders took the children through the dos and don'ts of using the web; the longest snake on the board, for instance, denoted the risk they were taking when they posted pictures online.
As part of the awareness sessions, the CHILDLINE team organised a talk on the topic, “Atrocities against Children and CHILDLINE’s Role in Helping Victims”, which was attended by 300 students.
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| A CHILDLINE counsellor talks to the children about sexual abuse. Pic: Cyberdome |
A kiosk which had posters with information on the 1098 services was set up in the exhibition area. Awareness videos were also streamed from the kiosk for the entire duration of the programme. Every child who visited was also handed a brochure with details on how, when and why they could call CHILDLINE.
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| Children at the CHILDLINE kiosk. Pic: CHILDLINE Trivandrum |
To showcase what happened a 1098 call was made, children could also call the helpline from a phone that was installed at the kiosk.
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| Children dial the 1098 helpline. Pic: CHILDLINE Trivandrum |
Considering the dependence on technology in today’s world, it is very critical to equip children with the knowledge they need to protect themselves from the various transgressions they can encounter. An initiative like Kid Glove can go a long way in informing children and building their capacity in effectively mitigating and countering threats or risks they could face online.
