Guarding the Digital Generation: Workshop on Social Media and Cyber Security at Thottam, Udupi

Thottam, Udupi, August 31, 2025 — St Anne Church, Thottam, hosted a workshop on Social Media, Cyber Crimes, Frauds, and Security for high school students, youth, and their parents. The event, held on Sunday, attracted more than 140 participants and proved to be both eye-opening and engaging.

The session was conducted by Dr. Roshan Fernandes, Professor in the Department of Cyber Security at NITTE University. Reflecting on the rapid growth of mass media, social media, and artificial intelligence, he remarked, “We live in a media era,” stressing that media are neither inherently good nor bad, but must be used wisely. He spoke on the benefits of social media while warning of the hidden dangers it poses, especially for children and young people.

Dr. Fernandes shed light on issues of cyber security with real-life examples of cybercrimes, online fraud, bullying, and blackmail. He urged participants not to fall victim to addictive platforms or fraudulent schemes that could threaten their safety. Importantly, he shared practical advice on how to respond in the event of cyber fraud. The session concluded with a hands-on segment, where participants learned practical safety measures to protect themselves online.

The workshop was inaugurated by Fr. Denis D’Sa, who encouraged children and youth to become prudent users of social media rather than slaves to it. He stressed the importance of adopting a balanced and responsible approach when navigating digital platforms.

The event was jointly organised by the Commissions for Social Communications and Justice and Peace, making it a significant initiative towards equipping the parish community to face the challenges of the digital era with awareness and responsibility.

By Fr. Denis D’Sa

Parish Priest

Director of Social Communications Commission

Udupi Diocese

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