Kolkata: Some city schools have started sensitising kids about digital arrest fraud that has emerged as a new-age threat to children, especially those on the verge of adolescence.
A comprehensive workshop addressing cyber safety and digital arrest was organised at Rishi Aurobindo Memorial Academy for students from classes IX to XII. Principal Bobby Baxter said, "We felt the urgency to address potential digital crimes." The session focused on cyber safety education, responsible social media usage, understanding digital arrests, and why specific age-groups have become the targets. IPL 2025 mega auctionIPL Auction 2025 Live: KKR break bank for Venkatesh Iyer, Ashwin returns to CSKIPL 2025 Auction LIVE: Updated Full Team SquadsIPL Auction 2025: Who got whom
The session began by explaining digital arrest, a fraudulent scheme where cybercriminals falsely assert their authority to arrest someone through digital channels, typically via telephone or online communications. Students received detailed information about online activity risks and the significance of protecting personal data. "We told them to be careful while clicking online links and interacting with people on online platforms," added Baxter.
Another school in the city, Gyan Bharati, recently held its ‘Cyber Shiksha Campaign', aimed at empowering students with the knowledge to navigate cyber spaces safely and responsibly, for classes X, XI and XII. The event featured expert-led insights into cyber safety, along with advanced training sessions designed to equip young minds with the tools to prevent and combat cybercrimes.
The academic director of Gyan Bharati, Gopa Barman, said, "Our commitment to student safety extends beyond traditional education. This campaign was a vital initiative to ensure that our students are not only aware of cyber threats but are also equipped to handle them effectively. We believe that education is the best defence against cybercrime."
Ashok Kall Higher Secondary School principal Atreyee Sengupta said, "Our students are aware that the Internet is a very powerful tool in today's world. Hence, we frequently talk to them about the importance of being digitally sound, maintaining a safe presence on online platforms, and yet not falling prey to scammers. Also, our students of classes VI-XII study the hidden dangers of malware like spyware and adware, phishing, and visiting unsafe websites."She also stated that they were planning to conduct a training session for students from classes VI-XII to undertake the ‘Cyber Security Pledge for Students' as encouraged by the CBSE.