E-learning: Nagaland schools told to ensure kids' safety on Net

Kohima: As schools in Nagaland switch to online learning, the directorate of school education (DoSE) alarmed schools about the possibility of online exploitation of children and increase in activity related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

An update from principal director Shanavas C informed that with the introduction of online teaching by different institutions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children have been spending more time on the Internet. With the children being “unsupervised”, he expressed concern saying that children become vulnerable to being targeted online by unwanted elements.

Also Read: Nagaland: Uniform fee scale in govt schools to remove disparity

“There are reports about possibility of online exploitation of children and increase in activity related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM),” he said. Therefore, all heads of Institutions of both government and private schools that are functioning within the state of Nagaland are directed to take necessary steps to make children and parents aware about the safe use of internet and online threats by the means of SMS, online teaching and other means which are being used to reach out to children.

Also Read: Nagaland: Selective fee-waiver by private schools amid COVID-19

He also informed that IEC materials on safe online learning are made available in the official website of the department of school education at https://education.nagaland.gov.in/ for necessary action.

“Further, it is been reported that few schools are sharing personal information of students such as Aadhaar Number in school WhatsApp groups, which is against the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Therefore, all concerned are advised to be cautious in this regard so that the interests of students are not jeopardised,” he added.

Also Read: Nagaland: Assam Rifles apprehends 3 drug peddlers in Kohima