After successful completion of Internet Safety Campaign at Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata, Kaspersky Lab along with Data Security Council of India (DSCI) launched Internet Safety Campaign – Stop. Think. Connect in Mumbai. Internet Safety Campaign – Stop. Think. Connect is one of its kinds initiative in the form of a Street Play competition to increase the level of awareness on Internet Security among the young users. The campaign involved a college outreach programme in the top Indian metros – Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata. Participating team in each city had to ideate and present a creative theatrical interpretation of key themes around Internet Safety.
The campaign kick started at Atharva College of Engineering – Malad, Mumbai. Campaign attracted registrations and participation from colleges in and around Mumbai. Shortlisted teams from St. Xaveirs college, Rizvi college, SVIT College, Kelkar college, etc. performed street plays based on themes like Internet Security starts with you, Identity theft, Virtual world are the threats real, taking control over your Digital Life, Online Gaming, Protecting your credentials, etc. Performance of each team was moderated by Dr. Satya Pal Singh, Joint Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, RJ Sidhu, Fever 104 and Mr. Lokesh Rai, Rangbaaz Theatre Group. The performance from each team was judged on the criteria of content research, direction, enactment, uniqueness and time adherence. Kelkar college team won the first prize. They were awarded with prize money of Rs. 50,000 for their fabulous performance, content, theme and presentation. Rizvi College were decleared as Runner up and were awarded with the cash prize of Rs. 15,000/-. The awards were presented to the winning teams by Dr. Satya Pal Singh, Joint Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, RJ Sidhu, Fever 104 and Mr. Lokesh Rai, Rangbaaz Theatre Group.
India has approximately 137 million user’s internet users. About 75 per cent of online audience is between the age group of 15-34 years. Internet is one of the most evolving and powerful medium today and is used extensively especially by the youth. With the consistent advancement in the digital infrastructure and technology, millions are using Internet 24/7 to learn, research, shop, buy, bank, invest, play games, download movies and music, re-connect with old friends, meet new people, and do many other activities using their smartphone, laptops and PCs. The cyberspace offers numerous benefits. But it is also increasingly risky, with many new threats emerging daily. However, most of the young internet users are still unaware of basic steps to ensure safety while being online. Internet Safety Campaign – Stop. Think. Connect – unique coalition of industry leaders addresses the need for increasing awareness on Internet safety through the online and on ground campaigns.
Students can send their contributions to stcindia.blogspot.in and follow campaign at www.twitter.com/India_STC. For latest information, videos and updates, tune in to http://www.youtube.com/user/stcindia1. Participants can also SMS – “STCIndia” and send in their entries to 54252. Visit www.facebook.com/stopthinkconnectindia for more details, event updates and photographs of the Internet Safety Campaign – Stop. Think. Connect.
Jagannath Patnaik, Director – Channel Sales, Kaspersky Lab – South Asia
“With more than 200000 malware appearing every day Internet users are exposed to greater risks. This can be reduced if users take adequate security measures, understand the consequences of their behavior and actions and enjoy the benefits of the Internet. Kaspersky lab believes that everyone has the right to be free from cyber security fears. But having said that, keeping internet safe and secure is our shared responsibility. With ‘Stop. Think. Connect’ initiative, we would like to encourage each and every individual to take extra steps and efforts to create safer digital world using the simple tools and resources shared on this platform”.
