Youths urged to protect themselves from cyber predators, cyberbullying

The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) hosted a “Youth in ICT Day” to bring the curtain down on an enlightening five days of tech talks for Internet Week Guyana. Secondary and tertiary level youths joined others from community ICT hubs near and far at the Pegasus Hotel.

Information technology (IT) professionals and technicians from Guyana and the Caribbean discussed digital skill development and paths governments should take in order to “release the potential of the digital economy. The professionals also shared several guidelines and techniques for playing a meaningful role in the Global Mobile App revolution.
CTU Communications Specialist Michelle Garcia presented several tips and guidelines for youths to protect themselves from cyber predators and cyberbullying.  These included customizing their privacy settings; protecting their passwords; being careful of what they share online in terms of photos and videos; blocking bullies; saving the evidence; speaking to a trusted adult; avoiding unsafe sites; and increasing their knowledge of internet security.
Lydia Mosie, a CTU Consultant, reminded the students that their devices serve a much wider purpose in research, jobs, business, and entertainment, among other areas.
And Public Telecommunications Minister, Catherine Hughes, highlighted some of the initiatives that that Ministry has on stream, including the provision of internet connectivity in schools, creating more ICT hubs, and passage of the Telecommunications Bill, the Department of Public Information reported.
The ‘Youth Day’ saw students from Berbice, Essequibo and Demerara secondary schools, the University of Guyana, the Teachers Training College, youth and women ICT groups, and several private training institutions.
Activities for the week were held under the general theme, ‘Building the Internet Collectively’.