On 29th March 2025, under the Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) Project, Kolkata Mary Ward Social Centre (KMWSC) conducted a School Awareness Campaign on Cyber Safety at Koijhuri Girls High School, located in Basirhat. The programme marked the presence of officers of the Anti Human Trafficking Unit of the Border Security Force (BFS), who has teamed up with KMWSC to prevent cross border human trafficking across the Indo Bangladesh international border. The campaign aimed to educate and sensitise young students — especially adolescent girls — about the growing risks and vulnerabilities associated with the digital world.

A total of 50 students participated in this engaging and timely awareness session. In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, young individuals are more connected than ever — but also more exposed to online threats such as cyberbullying, online grooming, phishing, identity theft, and other forms of digital exploitation. This session was designed to equip the students with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to protect themselves while navigating the internet.

The facilitators used interactive presentations, real-life examples, and open discussions to explain how social media, messaging apps, and online games can become potential platforms for exploitation if not used responsibly. The students were also informed about the importance of maintaining digital boundaries, securing personal information, and reporting suspicious behaviour or abuse.

Special emphasis was placed on encouraging the girls to speak up and seek help if they encounter anything threatening or uncomfortable online — reminding them that their voices matter and that cyber safety is a shared responsibility.

KMWSC’s AHT project continues to advocate for child and adolescent protection, not only in physical spaces but also in virtual ones, recognising the internet as the new frontier for both opportunity and risk.

"Empowered girls make safer clicks — awareness is the first firewall.”

***