1. Event Overview

As part of its continued efforts to promote digital safety and cyber awareness among young citizens, the CyberPeace Foundation, under its CyberPeace First Responder Programme, conducted a cyber safety awareness and capacity-building session at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, Varanasi Region, on 21 August 2026.

The programme, supported by Google, focused on equipping students with practical knowledge and responsible digital habits required to navigate an increasingly connected online environment.

The session emphasised that digital safety begins with awareness and that informed and responsible users play an important role in building a safer and more resilient digital ecosystem.

2. Objectives of the Programme

The session was designed to:

• Promote awareness about common cyber threats and online risks.
• Help students identify cyber scams, online fraud and phishing attempts.
• Encourage safe and responsible use of digital platforms.
• Educate students about protecting personal information and digital identities.
• Develop the habit of verifying information before sharing it online.
• Explain responsible responses to cyber incidents.
• Encourage students to adopt secure and responsible digital practices.
• Build a culture of cyber awareness among young citizens.

3. Key Areas Covered

The awareness session addressed several important aspects of cybersecurity and responsible digital citizenship.

Identifying Cyber Scams and Online Fraud

Students were introduced to common forms of online scams and fraudulent activities. The session highlighted the importance of recognising suspicious communications, unsolicited requests and deceptive online offers before taking any action.

Recognising Phishing and Digital Threats

Participants were made aware of phishing attempts and other digital threats that may be used to steal sensitive information. Emphasis was placed on identifying suspicious links, messages, websites and requests for personal or financial information.

Protecting Personal Information

The session highlighted the importance of safeguarding personal information, passwords, account credentials and other sensitive data. Students were encouraged to think carefully before sharing information online.

Protecting Digital Identity

Students learned about the importance of maintaining control over their digital identity and online presence. The discussion encouraged responsible use of social media and other digital platforms.

Verifying Information Before Sharing

The programme emphasised the importance of checking the authenticity and credibility of information before forwarding or publishing it online. Students were encouraged to develop a “verify before you share” mindset.

Responsible Response to Cyber Incidents

Students were encouraged to respond calmly and responsibly when encountering cyber incidents. The importance of reporting suspicious activity and seeking assistance from trusted adults or appropriate authorities was also reinforced.

4. Key Learning Outcomes

The session helped participants develop a stronger understanding of:

• Common cyber scams and methods used by online fraudsters.
• Phishing and social-engineering techniques.
• The importance of protecting personal and sensitive information.
• Safe online communication and digital behaviour.
• Responsible social media usage.
• Information verification and digital literacy.
• Appropriate responses to suspicious online activity.
• The role of individuals in strengthening collective cyber resilience.

5. Building Responsible Digital Citizens

A key focus of the programme was to move beyond simply identifying cyber threats and encourage students to become responsible digital citizens.

Students were encouraged to:

STOP → THINK → VERIFY → ACT

Before clicking a link, sharing information, responding to an unfamiliar message or forwarding content, users should pause and assess the situation.

This approach helps reduce the risk of falling victim to scams while also preventing the spread of misinformation and harmful content.

6. Programme Impact

The awareness session contributed to strengthening students' understanding of cybersecurity and responsible digital behaviour.

By providing practical awareness around scams, phishing, privacy, information verification and incident response, the programme aimed to help students make safer decisions in their everyday digital interactions.

The programme also reinforced the broader objective of creating a network of informed and responsible digital citizens who can contribute to the safety of their families, schools and communities.

7. Key Message

The programme reinforced a simple but important message:

Digital safety begins with awareness, and awareness begins with education.

In an increasingly connected world, cybersecurity is not only the responsibility of technical professionals. Every individual who uses a smartphone, computer, social media platform or online service has a role to play in maintaining a safer digital environment.

8. Conclusion

The CyberPeace First Responder Programme session at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, Varanasi Region, served as an important initiative to strengthen cybersecurity awareness and digital responsibility among students.

Through practical awareness and capacity building, the programme encouraged students to identify online threats, protect their digital identities, verify information and respond responsibly to cyber incidents.

The initiative reflects the continued commitment of the CyberPeace Foundation, with the support of Google, towards empowering young citizens with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

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