CBSE is urging schools to teach cyber safety by offering a certification program.

In an effort to promote cyber safety and protect students from online threats, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has instructed its affiliated schools to take certain measures. These include encouraging students, teachers, and parents to enroll in a 2.5-hour cyber hygiene certification course and establishing cyber clubs within the school. These clubs will be responsible for organizing monthly awareness activities related to cybercrime.

This initiative, led by the Home Minister's Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, aims to strengthen the understanding of cybercrime and promote good cyber hygiene practices among students, teachers, and parents. This is becoming increasingly important as children are spending more time online and are therefore more vulnerable to potential risks such as grooming, cyberbullying, identity theft, online harassment, and financial cyberfraud. A senior board official emphasized the need for such measures in today's digital age.

To ensure that cyber safety is incorporated into the school's routine, the board has suggested organizing various activities on the first Wednesday of every month, which is observed as Cyber Jagrookta Diwas (Cyber Awareness Day). These activities can include quizzes, speeches, poster-making competitions, pledge drives, debates, and awareness sessions. Schools are also advised to integrate cyber awareness into annual events, parent-teacher interactions, and special campaigns.

In addition to these activities, schools have been asked to circulate a cyber safety pledge among students and get their parents to sign it. This pledge focuses on promoting safe online practices, responsible social media use, and basic cyber hygiene. It aims to educate students and their families on the importance of being cautious while using digital platforms.

To further spread awareness, CBSE has recommended displaying cyber awareness advisories on parent portals, sharing a cybercrime awareness comic book prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and encouraging students and parents to follow Cyberdost on social media. The use of interactive awareness material, such as the cyber awareness Snake and Ladder game, is also encouraged. According to the director of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Nishant Kumar, spreading awareness is the most effective way to prevent cybercrime.

By targeting students, teachers, and parents through schools, a culture of cyber safety can be created, which will ultimately help protect families and communities from emerging online threats. This is a step towards building a safer and more secure online environment for all.