Through the SafeSurf initiative, The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in cooperation with Google, held an interactive workshop attended by several educational personnel from schools in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This workshop aims to spread awareness, support digital safety education particularly within the educational sector, in addition to addressing the latest risks faced online and the right way to overcome them.
The workshop, which was held through Google’s “Abtal Al Internet” Program, discussed several issues related to the latest National Internet Safety Review study conducted by TRA highlighting the level of Internet safety in the Kingdom of Bahrain in addition to digital training on an online safety curriculum.
Regarding this workshop, TRA’s Director of Consumer Affairs and Media, Sh. Abdulla bin Humood Al Khalifa, said: “This cooperation comes within the community partnership with various entities and institutions to enhance knowledge cooperation. TRA will continue its role in promoting awareness about the safe use of online services through the SafeSurf initiative in the interest of providing a safe and effective internet environment in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This will enhance awareness within the community and help individuals discover and avoid internet risks, especially those resulting from the use of social media, in addition to giving solutions to overcome them, to mitigate the negative effects and their impacts on Social, psychological and educational aspect of life such as cyberbullying, fraud, identity theft and many others.”
Sh. Abdulla affirmed: “TRA has also worked to expand the scope of knowledge through cooperation with various entities, including Google and the Ministry of Education whose contribution we would like to recognize, and through this interactive workshop that included a large group of teachers to be able to train their students and spread this culture in the educational environment and will then be a certified “Abtal Al Internet” trainer.”
On his part, Salim Edde, Director and Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy in the MENA region at Google said: “We are committed to providing the entire community, especially children, with the skills and tools they need to be able to use the Internet safely while protecting their privacy. We are pleased to be partnering with TRA to help children and educators through Google’s “Abtal Al Internet” program, especially in light of current circumstances and distance learning.
The participants in the workshop were introduced to the “Abtal Al Internet” program designed to educate and equip children with the required skills to use the Internet safely and wisely. Teachers are trained on the tools and methods necessary to teach the basics of Internet safety and prepare students for a healthy and safe use of the Internet.
The SafeSurf initiative was launched by TRA in 2010 to provide citizens and residents of Bahrain and their families with sufficient knowledge and information to create a safer internet environment, in addition to promoting awareness on cyber safety, culture and innovation by educating and empowering digital technology users and sharing knowledge and experiences.
Source: TRA Bahrain