NCCE Suame Municipal Educates Students of Angel Educational Complex, Kronum on Internet Safety

The Suame Municipal Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has sensitised students of Angel Educational Complex at Kronum in the Ashanti Region to internet safety and responsible social media use.

The engagement, which brought together over 300 students and teachers, formed part of the Commission's efforts to promote responsible digital citizenship and protect young people from emerging online threats.

Addressing participants, the NCCE Municipal Director, Mr. Isaac Badu, highlighted the benefits and risks associated with internet use. He explained that although digital platforms provide valuable opportunities for learning and communication, their misuse could negatively affect children's safety, mental health and academic performance.

Mr. Badu cautioned students against cyberbullying, including insulting colleagues, posting offensive comments and sharing embarrassing images on WhatsApp, TikTok and Facebook. He also warned against interacting with strangers online, stressing that individuals may conceal their identities to exploit unsuspecting users.

He advised students to safeguard their personal information, avoid sharing intimate images and never arrange private meetings with strangers encountered online.

The Municipal Director further educated participants on common online scams, including fraudulent lottery messages, deceptive free-data links and mobile money fraud. He emphasised the importance of protecting passwords and mobile money PINs from unauthorised persons.

Students were also encouraged to verify information before sharing it and refrain from circulating fake news or unverified examination materials. Other concerns highlighted included exposure to pornographic content, excessive gaming and prolonged internet use at the expense of academic work and adequate sleep.

As part of the engagement, participants were introduced to ten golden rules for online safety, including thinking before clicking suspicious links, protecting personal information, using strong passwords, demonstrating kindness online, and reporting uncomfortable experiences to trusted adults.

The General Manager of Angel Educational Complex, Mr. Solomon Opoko Antwi, commended the NCCE for the initiative and expressed concern about children's increasing access to smartphones without adequate supervision. He appealed for regular civic education engagements and the establishment of a Civic Education Club in the school.

The students actively participated in discussions and pledged to promote safe internet practices among their peers.

The programme concluded with the slogan, "Safe Internet, Safe Students, Safe Ghana!"