NEWS: Cyber safety

HE used to sit on the dirt floor in India, learning with chalk and slates. So said Business Software Alliance (BSA) director of anti-piracy in Asia, Tarun Sawney.

Those were the days when computers were associated with science fiction, and only seen in movies like Star Trek.

“But now, most of you are on the Internet every day,” Sawney said, at the recent launch of BSA's web educational initiative, B4USurf.

From left: Ng, Sawney and Dr Parmjit Singh watching APIIT Smart School students access the B4USurf website at the launch.

“And I often read about under-aged teenagers having sex with strangers they meet on the Internet, cases of cyber bullying, and even websites promoting assisted suicide.”

These problems, as well as others like the proliferation of spyware, viruses and hacking, prompted BSA to provide resources to promote awareness on the dangers in cyber space.

The B4USurf website (www.b4usurf.org) – recently launched in Singapore, Taiwan and the Philippines – contains information, safety tips, lesson plans, quizzes, and even an online game and posters for students, teachers and parents.

“We want schools to educate their students and encourage them to visit the website,” Sawney said.

“So, we're getting education ministries to buy into the campaign.”

Senior special officer to Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong, Ng Boon Keng, officiated the launch at APIIT Smart School recently.

“It is vital that schools have appropriate policies and procedures in place to deal with cyber safety,” Ng said, in a speech on behalf of Dr Wee.

“As technology continues to evolve and play a more significant role in our children's lives, we must take more precautions to keep them safe.”

Ng also urged other schools to participate in the campaign.

APIIT Education Group managing director, Dr Parmjit Singh, believes that schools are perfectly positioned to play key roles in educating teachers and students on this aspect.

“Nowadays, children are curious at a younger and younger age,” he noted.

“As educators, we have the responsibility to highlight the benefits of the Internet to our children.

“However, at the same time, we also need to manage and minimise risks for young users by educating them on the potential dangers online.”