CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Bhopal: Students were given information on cyber safety under the Safe Childhood Campaign.
As directed by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), New Delhi, and the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, Jabalpur, the District Legal Services Authority, Bhopal, organised a legal awareness programme at Kasturba Government Higher Secondary School, Bhopal, under NALSA’s Safe Childhood Campaign. The programme was held under the guidance of Principal District and Sessions Judge and District Legal Services Authority chairman Manoj Kumar Srivastava. Under activity number 4 of the campaign, students were made aware of online safety, cybercrime, child rights and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
Addressing the students, District Legal Services Authority secretary and District Judge Himanshu Kaushal explained important provisions of the POCSO Act. Through simple examples, he explained how to identify good and bad touch, personal safety, protection from child abuse and the importance of speaking without fear against any inappropriate behaviour. He encouraged students to immediately inform parents, teachers or any trusted person about any such incident.
Kaushal also explained the functioning of NALSA, SALSA and the District Legal Services Authority, and gave information on free legal aid, legal advice, Lok Adalat, mediation and various legal services schemes. Students were made aware of cybercrimes and were told about safeguards against cyberbullying, online grooming, fake social media accounts, identity theft, online harassment, sextortion and misuse of private photographs and personal information. They were advised to keep OTPs and passwords confidential, remain cautious while contacting unknown persons online and use social media responsibly. The process of lodging complaints in cases of cybercrime through the national cyber helpline number 1930 and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal was also explained.
District Legal Aid Officer Muhammad Jilani gave information about various legal services schemes of NALSA and SALSA, free legal aid, child rights and child protection. Referring to the toll-free helpline number 15100 for legal aid, he encouraged students to remain aware of their rights and seek legal assistance when needed. Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel Deepesh Thakur, Child Welfare Committee members Alankar Jain and Mekhla Srivastava, and a resource person from the Social Justice Department also informed students about child rights, child protection and the legal safeguards available under the POCSO Act. They conveyed the message that children should raise their voice against any form of exploitation or harassment and immediately report such incidents to responsible persons. At the end of the programme, school principal Shalini Srivastava expressed gratitude to the guests and all those who supported the event. Through the programme, students were encouraged to adopt safe digital behaviour, understand their legal rights and remain alert to child abuse and cybercrime.
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