DHAKA, Sept 28, 2024 (BSS) – An online safety training with the participation of young leaders held in Manikganj aimed at raising awareness of digital risks and promoting secure online behavior as well as building a responsible digital generation.    

A total of 128 young leaders, representing all 64 districts of the country, have completed the extensive training course under the “Shabdhane Online A” (Stay Safe Online) campaign as they are entrusted to lead their communities about online safety, said a press release here today.

The training campaign focused on raising awareness about online safety, developing positive and effective communication skills, and imparting training on the use of different apps, especially TikTok's in-app security features.

Through this program, an effort has been made to create a conscious and responsible digital generation, who will promote safe internet usage in their communities.

The training camp, held at the HRDC facility in Manikganj, was jointly organized by the JAAGO Foundation and the popular social media platform TikTok as internet is an essential part of modern life although it also comes with risks such as identity theft, harassment and cybercrime.

Alongside rapid growth of using different social networking sites, now the number of TikTok users increased from 465 million to 834 million between 2020 and 2023. As the number of users increased, ensuring safe online usage becomes very important.

The release said that newly trained youth leaders will act as local champions, educating their peers and neighbours about online risks such as cybercrime, harassment, and data privacy issues. Through these efforts, the campaign seeks to foster a more secure and responsible internet culture nationwide.

JAAGO Foundation's founder Korvi Rakshand said that this campaign, developed in collaboration with TikTok, is designed to equip the young generation with the tools they need to stay safe online and promote positive digital engagement.

The participated young leaders said that this training has enabled them to understand of the dangers deeply in the virtual arena.

Mosaddek Hossain, Project Manager for “Shabdhane Online A” said that this year’s campaign would reach even more students across Bangladesh. “Over the next year, we will work with 256 educational institutions to ensure the awareness of young people about online safety measures,” he added.