Exercise caution when disseminating information - MTN advises students
In a casual, engaging tone, let's dive into the digital realm as telecom giant MTN Ghana urges Senior High School students to prioritize online safety. The conversation unfolded at Osu Presbyterian Senior High School (Osu PRESEC) in Accra, where Angela Adu-Ampofo, Head of Corporate Affairs-MTN Ghana, emphasized the company's commitment to more than just offering voice, data, and mobile money services—they aim to empower young minds online too!
Angela stated that MTN aspires to ensure students avoid cyberbullying while teaching them safe and productive internet use. According to an online penetration report by the United Nations (UN) for 2021, about 36 percent of Ghanaian kids accessed the internet or screen-based devices that year. This shows the power of the digital generation and underscores the importance of nurturing cyber-savvy youth.
Prince Essandoh, Senior Lead, IT Governance and Compliance at MTN, led discussions on online safety lessons with the students. He cautioned them against cyberbullying and other negative online activities. Essandoh wisely suggested not responding to unkind remarks on social media platforms and blocking any form of cyberbullying instead—then informing a trusted adult. He also warned students to be wary of clickbait links in unsolicited emails, as these often contain phishing links designed to install viruses.
Jacqueline Hanson Kotei, Senior Manager for Enterprise Security and Governance at MTN, shared advice on data privacy. She emphasized the importance of being mindful about how students share personal information online, since they never know who might receive it.
Vincent Esoah, Headmaster of Osu PRESEC School, made an earnest plea for support to improve ICT education at his school. With 308 students and only 33 computers, the school struggles to provide adequate ICT resources, especially during the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). He hopes that with a little backing from organizations like MTN Ghana, they can acquire more computers to ensure every student benefits from ICT learning opportunities.
Touched by the school's situation, the headmaster thanked MTN Ghana for making Osu PRESEC a preferred venue for the Africa Safer Internet Day event with the theme 'Get involved and promote a safer Internet'. He also expressed gratitude for MTN's community efforts, offering their facilities for public use.
Although no specific safety measures were mentioned in the context, common practices such as strong password management, safe browsing, data protection, phishing awareness, regular updates, and education about cyber threats are encouraged for all internet users. May this dialogue spark meaningful discussion on empowering our youth in the digital domain, shaping a safer internet for all!
- Angela Adu-Ampofo, from MTN Ghana, expressed that they not only want to provide voice, data, and mobile money services but also aim to educate students on cybersecurity, helping them navigate the internet safely and productively.
- Prince Essandoh, a Senior Lead at MTN, advised students to be cautious online, avoiding cyberbullying and clickbait links with potential phishing threats, while equally emphasizing the significance of a responsible and self-developed approach to technology use.
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