Empowering Young Minds: Cybersecurity Education at Kasoa Methodist Basic School
In a significant effort to educate the next generation on digital safety, the Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) West Africa Affiliate recently conducted an outreach program at Kasoa Methodist Basic School “A.” The initiative focused on teaching students how to safeguard their digital footprint, aligning with the theme “Your Digital Footprint, Own it, Protect it.” This event was part of broader activities celebrating International Women’s Day and the affiliate’s community engagement efforts.
Miss Elizabeth Bemah Amankwah, Events and Programs Lead of WiCyS West Africa, emphasized the importance of raising awareness among young people about data privacy and online safety. She explained that when individuals share personal information online, they risk identity theft, cyberbullying, and unwanted attention. Even seemingly harmless social media posts can leave a lasting digital footprint.
The outreach was led by mentees from the Data Privacy Stream, who engaged students through interactive sessions on responsible online behavior, privacy protection, and practical steps for setting social media privacy controls. Key topics covered included recognizing sensitive personal information, protecting data from unwanted access, and understanding the importance of privacy both online and offline.
Students were encouraged to apply the knowledge they gained and become “Privacy Champions” within their communities. A “Privacy Champion” is defined as someone who actively advocates for protecting personal data shared on the internet.
Mrs Amma Dappah Oppong, Headmistress of the school, praised the initiative and urged students to apply the knowledge in their daily lives. She also mentioned that portions of the presentation will feature in the students’ Information and Communication Technology mock exams to reinforce learning.
Madam Melody Eyram Azumah, a teacher and Cyber Champion, encouraged students to think carefully before sharing information, use strong passwords, review privacy settings regularly, and promote safe online practices among peers and family members.
The organizers expressed hope that the program would inspire students to become advocates for data protection and raise awareness on safeguarding personal information in the digital space.
WiCyS, a non-profit organization established in 2012 by Dr Ambareen Siraj with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation, promotes recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in cybersecurity. WiCyS West Africa, based in Ghana, is part of the global network empowering women and enthusiasts in cybersecurity across countries including Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.
Key Takeaways from the Outreach Program
- The outreach aimed to educate students on digital safety and the importance of protecting their online presence.
- Interactive sessions were conducted by mentees from the Data Privacy Stream, focusing on responsible online behavior and privacy protection.
- Students were encouraged to become “Privacy Champions” and advocate for data protection in their communities.
- The Headmistress of the school commended the initiative and integrated parts of the presentation into the students’ Information and Communication Technology mock exams.
- Teachers and Cyber Champions emphasized the need for careful information sharing, strong passwords, and regular review of privacy settings.
