By IANS
Mumbai : A campaign by Mumbai Police and Google to educate people about safe Internet usage to prevent exploitation of children has covered 15,000 students within a fortnight of its launch, a police official here said Wednesday.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Enforcement) Sanjay Mohite said this unique collaborative effort, called ‘Be NetSmart’, includes parents, teachers and service providers.
“The campaign aims to reach out to students to educate them about Internet security. There is so much on the Internet for students and considering the fact that it is here to stay, it is our job to teach the kids to be safe and smart,” Mohite told IANS.
The campaign was launched Feb 18 and within a fortnight it reached 15,000 students and 300 teachers across 30 schools in Mumbai. It focuses on students above the age of six.
“We aim to educate over 25,000 students in the city,” Mohite said.
Shailesh Rao, managing director of Google India, said: “The Internet is feeding the curiosity of the youth, encouraging them to ask new questions and expand the boundaries of their knowledge.”
According to him, the campaign is a step towards ensuring their safety online while they continue to explore limitless possibilities.
The sessions held in schools cover topics ranging from maintaining confidentiality and avoiding interaction with strangers online to tips on downloading content, posting pictures and online chatting.