Karaga NCCE Educates Pupils on Responsible Digital Citizenship

Young people have been reminded that their actions in the digital space can affect not only their personal lives but also the peace, safety, and development of the country.

As part of the Citizenship Week celebration, the Karaga Municipal Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) engaged pupils and students of Binduli Methodist Junior High School and Upper Primary on responsible digital citizenship.

Organized under the sub-theme “Growing Up Digital: The Ghanaian Child Upholding the Constitution Online,” the engagement sought to help pupils understand how constitutional values apply to their behaviour both offline and online.

During the session, learners were educated on the opportunities digital platforms provide for learning, creativity, communication, and access to useful information. They were also reminded that the internet, if not used responsibly, can expose young people to serious risks and harmful influences.

Mr. Abu-Safianu Fuseini, a Civic Education Officer of the NCCE, took the pupils through key issues such as online safety, cyberbullying, privacy risks, online scams, misinformation and disinformation. He explained that irresponsible online behaviour can damage personal reputation, affect relationships and create problems in real life.

According to him, pupils must be careful about the information they post, share or comment on. He advised them to verify sources of information before forwarding messages or reacting to content online, since spreading false information can mislead others, create fear and disturb peace in communities.

Attention was also drawn to the need for pupils to protect their personal information when using digital platforms. They were cautioned against sharing details such as phone numbers, passwords, locations, and private pictures with strangers online.

Mr. Fuseini further encouraged the pupils to reject cyberbullying and treat others with respect in all online interactions. He stressed that the same values expected in homes, schools and communities, including respect, truthfulness, discipline and responsibility, must also guide their conduct on social media and other digital platforms.

Participants were also enlightened on the importance of upholding the values of the Constitution in the digital age. They were encouraged to use digital tools to promote peace, unity, tolerance, and positive communication within their communities.

By the close of the engagement, pupils and students were reminded that although they may be young, their online actions matter to Ghana. They were therefore urged to become responsible digital citizens by using the internet wisely, avoiding harmful content and helping to build a safer online environment for all.