KATHUA, FEBRUARY 10: Safer Internet Day was today observed at the Conference Hall of the DC Office Complex, Kathua with an awareness programme on the theme “Smart Tech, Safety Choices – Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI”.
The event was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rajesh Sharma and was attended by ADC Kathua, General Manager District Industries Centre, Assistant Commissioner Development, Chief Agriculture Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Programme Officer ICDS Kathua, District Informatics Officer, Shubham Singh besides other officers and officials.
The programme aimed to sensitise participants about the advantages and risks associated with internet usage and to promote safe and responsible digital practices. The speakers highlighted the wide-ranging benefits of the internet, including online education, digital payments, online shopping, social media connectivity and access to information.
Through the power point presentation, the DIO Shubham Singh briefed about the disadvantages and challenges of excessive and unsafe internet use with focus on issues such as loss of productivity, internet and social media addiction, social isolation, physical inactivity, cyber frauds, deepfake and AI voice scams, digital arrest frauds, hacking of social media accounts and online shopping scams.
Participants were also briefed on the steps to be taken in the event of a cyber scam. It was informed that any financial fraud should be reported immediately, passwords must be changed without delay and cyber crime complaints can be registered through the national helpline number 1930 or on the cybercrime.gov.in portal.
The session also emphasised the importance of maintaining cyber hygiene. The key points shared included installing applications only from trusted platforms, never sharing OTPs or UPI PINs, checking mobile connections issued in one’s name through the Sanchar Saathi portal, using secure networks, avoiding the use of the same password for multiple websites or applications, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping operating systems and browsers updated and not linking primary savings accounts with shopping websites or UPI applications.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, stressed that the internet should be used with utmost care and responsibility. He urged all to follow basic cyber safety precautions to protect themselves from online frauds and emphasised that any cyber scam should be reported immediately through the designated cyber crime reporting platforms.
The programme concluded with an interactive discussion with the resolve of safe, informed and responsible use of digital technologies.
