Bandung|BD – The cyber phenomenon can have a negative impact on children and adolescents. The ability to do self-censorship also needs to be done.

Responding to the phenomenon of digital technology development, Telkom University’s Faculty of Communication and Business Sciences held a community service activity entitled Development of Digital Literacy and Cyber Security Awareness for Teenagers on Friday, January 13, 2023.

The activity took place at the RW 06 Gumuruh office, Gumuruh Village, Batununggal District, Bandung City with participants targeting groups of children and adolescents in the area.

The event, which was held in collaboration with Karang Taruna 06 Gumuruh, presented four resource persons from the lecturers of the Communication Science and Digital Public Relations study programs, who are competent in their fields, including Nisa Nurmauliddiana Abdullah, M.I.Kom, Sarah D. Ekaputri, M.I.Kom, Haris Annisari Indah, M.I.Kom, and Fiqie Lavani Melano, M.I.Kom.

“Digital literacy is indeed one of the skills included in the 21st Century Skill Set, which no longer bargains, must be owned by everyone to be successful in the digital era. We want groups of children and adolescents who are actively surfing in this cyber world to not only be good at using it, but know how to wisely use the internet, especially social media, “said Nisa as a lecturer in the University Communication Science study program as well as the Chief Executive of this Abdimas activity.

Through this activity, children and adolescents are invited to be more critical in using digital media so that their use can provide benefits, and can prevent them from various risks of threats that may occur on the internet. These threats include cyberbullying, online gender-based violence, and phishing.

Adding to Nisa’s statement, according to Sarah, who was also a resource person in this activity, digital literacy skills consist of 4 components, namely capable, ethical, safe, and cultured in digital media. For this reason, children and adolescents need to be given awareness regarding internet ethics and equipped with tips to stay safe on the internet to avoid existing threats.

“We equip children and teenagers with simple and basic but very important tips to keep them safe in the cyber world. For example, by not sharing social media passwords with anyone, not revealing personal data, OTP codes, and so on,” Sari said.

Although it was held at night, the participants seemed to remain enthusiastic because the activities organized by lecturers and students of the Faculty of Communication and Business Telkom University were packaged in an interesting and fun way interspersed with games and attractive prizes for active participants.

“Seeing the enthusiasm of the children, we hope that this activity can continue and target more children and adolescents in Greater Bandung”. Fiqie concluded. Research