Better Internet for Kids

With a theme of "Together for a better internet", SID aims to empower and raise awareness for everyone to be together for a better internet. ICLDNG organised a wealth of activities in partnership with the African Youth Initiative on Crime Prevention (AYICRIP), CliqEdge, the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (Lagos State), the Community Agenda for Peace, and Education for Justice.

Benin City – Edo State

90 students participated in an event organised in the Pariel Education Foundation School, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The students learned more about how the internet opens up certain risks to its users – especially the most vulnerable ones, such as children – such as privacy concerns, cyberbullying, misinformation, exposure to potentially harmful content and predatory behaviours, to quote but a few.

Calabar - Cross River State

60 students participated in an awareness session organised in the West African People's Institute of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The session was interactive since the students were encouraged to talk about how they can use the internet safely. After this, they were educated on how to avoid cyberbullying and the hacking of social media accounts, the dos and don'ts of using the internet, an internet checklist, tips on using social media privacy settings, posting content, reporting suspect posts or accounts, and much more. The students also shared their views on the kind of things they can post and share on the internet.

The main takeaways for the students were how to react to offensive and suspected posts or social accounts, how to react to people's comments to avoid cyberbullying, what to do when threatened by someone online, the importance of using the same name across all social media accounts that match the certificate name, and the act of being nice and responsible to online users.

Kano State

In Kano State, Safer Internet Day was a success. About 220 students, six teachers, and youth leaders from the community attended the Hajara Ahmad International School. Abbah Ibrahim presented on the Internet as a tool for academic success, and a quiz competition followed.

Port Harcourt - Rivers State

In Rivers State, Safer Internet Day was also a blast. The event started with a keynote address by the Acting Rector of Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic, who delivered a paper on the importance of cyber safety. Tamuno Tonye spoke on partnering for a better internet in the presence of the Nigerian Communication Commission, Zonal Controller Port Harcourt Office. Mr Igulu, a lecturer from the Department of Computer Science, spoke on behalf of the ICT Director. Over 800 students and 50 academic and non-academic staff attended the event.

Abuja FCT

In Abuja FCT, Safer Internet Day was celebrated at Starville School, kicking off with the arrival of 263 students and guests to the hall. The representative of the ICLDNG for Abuja, Mr Dimoni Akpofure, gave the welcoming address, in which he introduced himself and what SID is all about, explaining to the students how vulnerable they are to cyber threats and cyberbullying. Mr Timothy Ukor, the school vice-principal, gave the opening remark. He encouraged students to be attentive and to ask questions when need be, and he also encouraged them to live a crime-free lifestyle.

The keynote address was given by Ms. Princess Chifiero of the Education for Justice Initiative by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Abuja office. She introduced herself and UNODC. She further explained what SID stands for and its aims and objectives. Mrs Badejo of the Education Department of ICPC gave the programme lecture on approaches to curbing cybercrime and corruption. She engaged the students by asking them what ICPC is and how they understand the terms "corruption" and "cybercrime". She advised the students not to engage in cybercrime and corrupt practices. The school head boy gave the closing remark, thanking the ICLDNG team, UNODC, and ICPC for the information they shared.

Makurdi – Benue State

In Benue State, the Safer Internet Day event gathered 273 students, six teachers, and 12 volunteers and facilitators. The vice Principal of Saint Joseph Secondary School Nyiman, Makurdi, gave a welcome address, followed by opening remarks from the coordinator of Safer Internet Day Benue State and Grace Akende from the House of Hilkiah Foundation.

The facilitator, Mr. Solomon Kershima, started his session by asking the students a few questions about how much they know about the internet. He then talked about cybercrime and how to be security alert. At the end, students asked pertinent questions, after which the facilitator asked questions, and the students with the correct answers won Education for Justice materials from the 2019/2020 Face of Culture Africa, HRH Queen Grace Oyikome.

Owerri – Imo State

It was amazing to connect, network, and inspire with the students, staff, and management of Calvary International Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State, during the Safer Internet Day training, in which over 130 students and 12 teachers participated.

The event was well spent, well packed, and highly valuable; the participants were elated and went home happy. The questions-and-answer session was superb and inspiringly optimistic. The students, among other things, learnt about internet safety, cyberbullying, how to protect oneself online, and the dos and don'ts of using social media platforms.

Lagos State

An event organised in the Itolo Girl's Senior High School, Lagos, gathered 157 students and six teachers from the State Senior Grammar School, the Eric Moore Senior High School, the Government Junior College, the Government Senior College, the Eric Moore Junior High School, the Itolo Girls' Senior Secondary School, the Community Junior High School and the Itolo Girls' Junior Secondary School.

The event started with the national anthem, with two students leading the song, followed by videos from United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Nigeria Education for Justice Initiative. The students were exposed to Education for Justice online tools on Cybercrime and Corruption to enable them to "Act 4 Rule of Law".  The Safer Internet Day video showed the students how teens can stay safe online.

An opening remark by Mrs Adeosun, Principal of Itolo Girl's Senior High School, in which she welcomed everyone and thanked the International Centre for Leadership Development Nigeria for hosting the event. The keynote speech was given by Mrs. Ajayi A.A from the Education District IV. She encouraged the students to make good use of the opportunity and that they should be glad to be among the selected students.

Mr Felix Iziomoh, Executive Director of the International Centre for Leadership Development Nigeria (ICLDNG), gave the welcome address, greeting everyone present and admonishing them to unite for a better internet. He thanked the Education District for always allowing him to host this annual event to help improve Nigerian society and educate the students on how best to use the internet positively.

Mr Emmanuel Beyoma from the Co-Creation Hub (Lagos) gave a presentation about "Social media safety for teenagers". He provided an engaging session to educate students and teachers on social media safety and letting everyone know that we all have an important role in helping to protect the cyberspace against the dangers of cybercrime.

Another presentation ensued, by Mrs. Irene Guedan (McAfee), on "Digital online safety". She provided an exciting online session, sharing various tips ranging from their responsibility to:

• Cybersecurity – What do I do to keep my stuff safe?
• Cybersafety – What do I do to keep myself safe?
• Cyberethics – How do I treat others online?

Irene ended her presentation with the following advice for young people: change your passwords and keep them safe; think twice before you post; review and update your online privacy settings; and use security software to protect your devices.

After this, Mr Ibe Chris from the African Youth Initiative on Crime Prevention presented on the "Positive use of the internet." Barr. Phillips Obuesi from the Community Agenda for Peace then presented the "Characteristics of a good netizen," sharing many recommendations with the young people present.

Mr Adedeji Adedoyin, Chief Operating Officer for ICLDNG, led the students through an internet safety questions-and-answers session and offered prizes to some of the students who answered his questions. Mr Adedoyin Adedeji then gave the closing remarks, thanking everyone who made the event possible.

In total, in 2020, SID was celebrated across eight states in Nigeria, with 1987 students attending the training sessions, thanks to 15 training facilitators, 23 volunteers and 89 teachers. 12 government officials, staff from United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Abuja, Nigeria & Community Leaders, also attended.

In the coming years, ICLDNG will expand this training to more states in Nigeria and, therefore, needs your support and partnership.

We are living in an internet age. The internet is one of the greatest things that has happened to us, especially in the 21st century. But make sure your time on the internet is safe, secure, and worry-free. Together, let's continue to be vigilant in our internet usage. A lot of bad things happen on the internet daily, so let's take precautions against them. Let's continue to use the internet to learn, re-learn, network, and connect with noble minds.

For more information, visit the Safer Internet Day Committee profile page of the International Centre for Leadership Development Nigeria.