NGO trains Kwara students on digital safety

Webfala Digital Skills for All Initiative (WDSFAI), a non-profit organisation that champions access to digital education and skills, says it has trained no fewer than 2,000 Kwara school students on digital citizenship and online safety.

The trainings, held over the past three weeks in schools across the state, were conducted by 25 fellows from the inaugural cohort of the organisation’s Digital Citizenship and Online Safety Fellowship, which was concluded on February 15.

In a statement by Hameed Muritala, the director of communications and strategy at WDSFAI, the fellows participated in a two-week intensive training that focused on digital literacy, online ethics, privacy, data protection, and strategies to combat cyberbullying and misinformation.

“After completing the training, where they gained essential knowledge, skills, and best practices to promote a safer and more inclusive digital environment, the fellows were tasked with conducting step-down trainings in schools across the state,” the statement reads.

“Consequently, each fellow visited three schools to raise awareness about online safety and educate at least 50 students on how to protect themselves from online threats. The fellows also introduced the students to concepts such as fact-checking and critical thinking to help them navigate the online world responsibly.”

Muritala added that at the end of the training, the students gained insights into protecting their personal information online, recognising cyber threats, identifying misinformation, and fostering positive digital interactions.

Nafisat Bakare, executive director of WDSFAI, said the initiative was in furtherance of her organisation’s commitment to promoting digital safety, responsible online engagement, and safeguarding young internet users from its dangers.

“While the internet has a lot of advantages, it also poses dangers to its users, especially children and young people. This is why it is important to equip young people with knowledge and skills to navigate online spaces responsibly and safely,” Bakare said.

“By exposing young learners to principles of digital citizenship and providing practical skills to identify and respond to online threats, we are fostering a generation of responsible digital users who can harness the internet’s potential while protecting themselves from its risks.”