Near East Primary School organised a digital safety awareness seminar for its 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students at the Near East University Main Library, aiming to equip young learners with the skills needed to navigate the online world responsibly.
The seminar, titled "Stay Safe in the Digital World! Conscious, Safe and Correct Internet Use," was delivered by Asst. Prof. Dr. Erinç Erçağ, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Education at Girne University. Topics covered included digital privacy, digital footprints, personal data protection, deepfake technology, fake digital identities and online strangers, all explained through age-appropriate examples.
Erçağ emphasised that the internet itself is not inherently dangerous. "The internet is not bad — what matters is how we use it. It offers children significant opportunities in gaming, video, education, communication and artificial intelligence," he said. He also warned that advances in AI are making it increasingly difficult to distinguish real content from fake, noting that "AI does not always provide accurate information, not every photo or video online is real, and people online can misrepresent themselves."
Erçağ stressed that children should be particularly cautious in online games and chat environments, and should never stay silent if someone asks for personal information or photos, or tells them to keep secrets from their family. "Do not hide such a situation from an adult — tell a trusted family member or your teacher," he urged.
Near East Primary School Principal Fatma Coşar said the school prioritises preparing students for real-life challenges alongside academic achievement. "Our goal is not to distance children from the digital world or to frighten them, but to give them the knowledge and skills to benefit from it safely," she said, adding that the school would continue to hold similar awareness events.
