Sri Lanka intensifies awareness campaigns on safe handling of social media
In the wake of increasing incidents of suicides and abuses connected to the use of online social networks, Sri Lankan authorities are to intensify current awareness campaigns on safe use of social media like Facebook and Twitter.
Secretary to the Mass Media and Information Ministry Dr. Charitha Herath told the Business Times that social media awareness campaigns and workshops for the youth are essential to promote the safe use of social media.
He said enforcing a system of surveillance is practically impossible and awareness programmes should specifically target school children, as well as adults who take a reckless attitude to posting personal details online.
He ruled out the banning of Facebook, and Twitter in Sri Lanka saying that “what we need to do is engage in social media as much as possible”.
“Sri Lankan Government is completely engaging with the entire front (entire world). We do not have anything to hide”, he said.
Following four suicides of three young school girls and a married woman connected to the misuse of Facebook and mobile phones, the Ministry of Information Technology has directed the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team (SLCERT) to intensify awareness programme on social network security in schools and teacher training colleges frequently, a senior official of SLCERT said.
Senior information security engineer of the SLCERT Roshan Chandragupta told the Business Times that their ongoing programme to educate public on the use of online social networks such as Facebook, and Twitter will be accelerated with the aim of spreading the message countrywide to prevent IT mishandling as well as crime and suicides-related social media.
This programme is being implemented in collaboration with Ministries of Education, Higher Education, and Information Technology, the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, the Sri Lanka Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA).
He said students will be educated on the importance of privacy and security when using social media networks.
He also proposed to add social media networks as a subject to be taught under Information Technology curriculum.
This matter is under discussion with the Education Ministry, he said.
Mr. Chandraguptha noted that if the users are aware and are careful concerning their activity on cyberspace most of the unnecessary incidents could be prevented.
Users should be cautious in displaying their pictures and personnel information without safeguards.
Citing an example he said, in the real world ‘we would not walk up to a complete stranger and share all our personal information and open up ourselves’.
Therefore, the same type of rules apply when interacting in any social networking site or any sphere of cyber space for that matter, he said.
The Kelaniya University will also conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of social media on the society specially the youth.
This study will involve law enforcement authorities and relevant institutions including the ministries covering socio cultural economical and criminal aspects.
The aim of the university is to start a dialogue among intellectuals and other sections of the society on the social media issue in the country to prevent it from exploding to uncontrollable proportions.