Stakeholders advocate digital safety among youths

By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom

Umuahia, Feb. 11, 2025

Some stakeholders on Tuesday said that adopting responsible internet practices is the key to tackling the growing risk of online scams, cyber bullying and digital misconduct.

They said this during a Digital Safety Conference for Secondary Schools organised by SieDi Hub, a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other development partners in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised in commemoration of the 2025 Safer Internet Day with the theme “Too Good To Be True? Protecting Yourself From Scams Online”.

Mrs. Enyioma Ndukwe-Orji, the Treasurer of the SieDi Hub Board of Trustees, emphasised the need for students to protect their personal data online, because careless sharing of sensitive information could make them easy targets for scammers.

Ndukwe-Orji also cautioned against clicking on unfamiliar links and engaging with suspicious pop-up windows, which could lead to security breaches.

“Young people should desist from visiting unsafe websites and engaging in searches that do not contribute positively to their academics or personal growth,” she said.

Ndukwe-Orji also highlighted the growing concern over students’ exposure to inappropriate content online.

She said that ”all hands must be on deck” to guide young people toward responsible internet use in order to ensure that they uphold moral and ethical values.

Ndukwe-Orji further called for the establishment of digital safety clubs in schools to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the online world securely while promoting ethical behavior.

Mr Victor Orji, the State Director of NOA, said that while technology had transformed the world into a global village, it also exposes students to cybercrime, fraud, and the deceptive “get-rich-quick” syndrome.

Orji, represented by the Agency’s Community Safety Awareness and Compliance Officer, Mr Alex Nwosuagwu, commended the organisers for their efforts in sensitising students on responsible internet usage.

“As we integrate technology into education, we must ensure our students are not only proficient in digital tools but also aware of the dangers online.

“We can minimise risks and maximise the benefits of the internet for learning and personal growth by fostering a culture of digital responsibility,” he said.

Orji restated the agency’s continued commitment to its advocacy efforts through awareness campaigns and the establishment of Integrity Clubs in schools to guide students towards positive online engagement.

Mr Lucky Ifeanyichukwu, the Founder of Softicu Hub, said that a recent research showed that “young people are soft targets for online fraudsters”.

Ifeanyichukwu said that the techniques used by online fraudsters include, phishing, fake giveaway, cyber bullying and blackmail, online shopping scam, impersonation, among others.

He described the Internet as an amazing tool which ought to be used wisely and urged youths to always think before they click anything online.

Mr Prince Dele, a teacher, said that promoting safer internet habits among youths on the digital space requires serious efforts in creating digital safety awareness.

“While technology offers immense benefits, children need proper guidance to navigate it safely,” Dele said.

In separate interviews, some students expressed delight over the knowledge they had gotten from the conference and promised to share it with their friends.

Miss Kamsi Ukanwa, an SS2 student said that the programme had made her understand the need to protect herself from the numerous dangers found online.

Ukanwa said that she would share the knowledge she had received with her friends in order to help them make informed decisions while online.

Master Chidube Godwin, an SS1 student, said that attending the conference had given him the opportunity to learn tips that would guide him as he uses the Internet.

Godwin said that he had resolved to avoid visiting websites that would predispose him to fraudsters and unwholesome content.

The event featured panel session, poster presentations by students, a question and answer session and the inauguration of Digital Safety Clubs for secondary schools.