Did you know that 84% of children in Malaysia suffer from some form of bullying, with 33% having been bullied online?
Following through on Yellow Heart’s mission to empower everyone with access to the Internet while keeping them safe through responsible digital usage, Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (“Digi”) has partnered with Google Malaysia to launch a fun, educational 5-part video series, Yellow Heart Cyber Series as part of its annual CyberSAFE in Schools Competition (2018).
CyberSAFE in School is a collaboration started in 2011 between the Ministry of Education Malaysia, Cybersecurity Malaysia and Digi to improve awareness, build capacity and empower schoolchildren and teachers with digital resiliency and citizenship skills to stay safe on the internet.
Phillip Ling, Digi’s Head of Sustainability said that the video series was born out of the need to engage children effectively on serious topics but leveraging off popular media and platforms where children thrive, which in this case YouTube superhero cartoons. The aim is to educate and empower children when it comes to managing online risks and also to nurture digital citizenship behaviour.
“Although most schoolchildren are very technologically savvy and know their way around the internet better than expected, there are still high percentages of them who belittle the likelihood of online risks or dismiss the possible long-term harm of these dangers. Many have also admitted to not being equipped to recognise the risk and to act accordingly with confidence. We hope that this approach using risk scenarios and relatable characters will help strengthen their digital resilience and instil positive citizenship behaviour to ensure a safe, secure and enjoyable online experience for themselves, their peers and their families.” he says.
Su Ann Lim, Google Malaysia’s Industry Head said, “Digital safety is one of the most significant issues we all face as a society as a new generation grows up with the Internet at their disposal 24/7. It’s critical that we help our young develop responsible citizenship and look out for one another online — just like we teach them to be offline. It’s fantastic to be part of what Digi is doing and I have no doubt that these educational and entertaining videos will kick-start meaningful conversations on digital safety and respect at home, school and many other places.”
From now until 30th September, students can participate in this video challenge at http://cybersafeinschools.my. The challenge is divided into two categories – school and individual.
For both categories, students are required to watch all the five videos created by popular animator CartoonHooligans, which depicts everyday scenarios faced by students in this digital age.
Each one-minute episode covers pressing issues such as:
When A Hero Acts Like a Villain
The first episode reminds students to put more thought into what they post on the internet – some things that they find amusing may be hurtful to others.
Betrayed by A Friend?
Highlighting the prevalence of online scams, this episode exhibits the perils of falling for such material and to think before they click.
Keeping Secrets Secret
As a follow up to the awareness of internet traps, this episode walks students through creating a more secure password and serves as a reminder to change it regularly to avoid untoward incidents.
Friends Make the World Better
Cyberbullying can come in many forms, and this episode displays the effects that negative comments have on a person versus positive reinforcements, and why everyone should choose the latter.
Courage in the Face of Hidden Danger
The final episode tackles two important issues – exclusion, which is a form of cyber bullying, as well as cybergrooming. Students are taught to be more mindful of others, and at the same time to speak to an adult or authoritative figure should they be asked to reveal more than they should.
Under the school category, students will have to answer a series of questions pertaining to the content in the videos. Each correct answer will earn them a point, and these points will be displayed on the leader board on the website. The top 25 schools based on school category and region with the most points at the end of the campaign will be crowned the champion and win a new projector for their school usage.
For the individual category, students will have to relay what they have learnt from the videos to an adult, after which they will have to write a summary of not more than 200 words about their experience and submit it together with a picture of the moment. The top 25 entries based on categories will win a Waterproof Bagpack and a signed certificate from Google and Digi.
For more information on the campaign, visit http://cybersafeinschools.my. To learn more about Digi Yellow Heart, visit http://digi.my/yellowheart.