Shaping Safer Digital Journeys: A Seminar on Cyber Safety & Mental WellbeingIn a world where the first friendships, opportunities, and even dangers are only a click away, preparing young people for t

A young participant reflects on the session’s key message — I grow good habits. I use tech with care. I protect myself and others. Empowering children with the mindset to create a safer, kinder digital world starts with moments like these.

In a world where the first friendships, opportunities, and even dangers are only a click away, preparing young people for the digital realm is no longer optional — it’s essential. On 10 August 2025, the Citizenry Cybersuraksha Association conducted a Cyber Safety & Mental Wellbeing Seminar in Bengaluru for children from Child Care Institutions. These participants stand at the threshold of adulthood, ready to navigate not only the physical world but also a digital one that can shape their futures in profound ways.

Empowering young minds for a safer digital tomorrow.

Cyber safety is often reduced to checklists — set a strong password, update your software, avoid strangers online. But true digital resilience is about more than rules; it’s about awareness, judgment, and empathy. In this two-hour session, Mr. Vinod Ramakrishna began by helping participants understand the difference between the internet, technology, and “cyber,” showing that while technology is neutral, harm emerges when it is misused. He then guided them through an exploration of the digital landscape — from the nature of cyberattacks, cybercrime, and cyberbullying, to the importance of cyber hygiene in daily life. The conversation naturally flowed into the need for respect, consent, and kindness in online interactions, and the value of mindful technology use — knowing when to engage and when to disconnect.

What made this seminar especially impactful was its interactive approach. Instead of a one-way lecture, the children were immersed in role-play scenarios that encouraged them to think critically about real-life online challenges. They were asked to consider what they would do if they received a suspicious link, how they might respond if they witnessed cyberbullying, and when it would be safe to share personal information. These moments of reflection transformed abstract lessons into practical skills, helping them build confidence in making safe decisions online.

The session concluded with a shared affirmation: “I grow good habits. I use tech with care. I protect myself and others.” These simple words carried a powerful message — that online safety is not rooted in fear, but in empowerment, choice, and responsibility.

In just a few years, these young participants will be making independent decisions that will affect not only their own lives but also the safety and wellbeing of the digital communities they belong to. By equipping them with knowledge, critical thinking, and empathy, we are investing in a generation that will be builders of a safe, healthy, and nurturing cyberspace — not just passive users.

For us at Citizenry Cybersuraksha Association, this seminar was yet another step toward our mission of bridging the cybersecurity awareness gap across communities and giving individuals the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly connected world. Because when we plant the seeds of awareness today, we grow a safer tomorrow.