For today’s students, the internet is more than a place for entertainment. It is a classroom, a communication platform, a source of information, and an important part of everyday life. But with greater digital access also comes greater responsibility and greater exposure to online risks.
American Corner Agbogba hosted a Digital Literacy & Youth Safety Series session titled “Cybersecurity for the Next Generation Skills Every Student Needs.” The program was organized in collaboration with the Ga East Education Directorate and brought together Junior High and Senior High School students from schools across the Directorate.
The session was led by Mr. Stephen M. Donkor, an Information Technology and Cybersecurity Specialist, whose expertise includes network security, digital forensics, personal data protection, and youth cyber hygiene education.
Helping Students Recognize Online Threats
One of the key messages of the session was that cybersecurity is not only a technical issue for IT professionals. Every internet user has a role to play in staying safe online.
Students were introduced to common online threats, including phishing scams, suspicious links, social engineering, and online predators. Through practical examples and discussions, they learned how seemingly harmless messages or links can be used to trick users into revealing personal information or accessing unsafe platforms.
The session encouraged students to pause and think before clicking, sharing information, or responding to unfamiliar online requests.
Protecting Personal Information
With students spending increasing amounts of time on social media and digital platforms, protecting personal information has become essential.
Participants learned practical approaches to creating stronger passwords and managing their privacy settings across online platforms. The session emphasized the importance of protecting sensitive information such as passwords, personal details, photographs, and account credentials.
Students were encouraged to see their personal data as something valuable that should be protected.
Understanding Their Digital Footprint
The conversation also went beyond passwords and scams.
Students explored digital citizenship, cyberbullying, responsible social media use, and digital footprints. They learned that what they post, comment on, or share online can contribute to a digital record that may remain accessible long after the original post has been forgotten.
This encouraged participants to think more carefully about how they communicate online and how their digital behaviour can affect themselves and others.
Building Safer Digital Communities
The program highlighted the importance of equipping young people with cybersecurity knowledge at an early stage. Students are not only users of digital platforms; they can also become advocates for safer online practices among their peers, families, and communities.
Through its partnership with the Ga East Education Directorate, American Corner Agbogba created a platform for students from different schools to learn together, ask questions, and build practical digital safety skills.
Preparing Students for a Digital Future
As technology continues to shape education, communication, and future careers, digital safety will remain an essential skill.
The cybersecurity session at American Corner Agbogba reinforced an important message: being digitally connected also means being digitally responsible.
By providing young people with practical knowledge about online threats, data protection, responsible social media use, and digital citizenship, the program contributed to building a generation of students who are better prepared to navigate the digital world safely and confidently.
Cybersecurity starts with awareness and every student has a role to play.
