In a significant step to safeguard children from growing online threats and ensure their digital well-being, Punjab Police’s State Cyber Crime Division on Tuesday launched “Cyber Jago”, a flagship statewide programme to spread awareness on Internet Safety and safe online use for school children. The initiative was inaugurated by Special DGP Community Affairs Division (CAD) Gurpreet Deo in the presence of senior police officers/officials, educators, and representatives from partner organisations.
The initiative, being conducted in collaboration with NGO Space2Grow and cybersecurity firms Starlight Data Solutions and Cybercops Compliance Solutions, aims to reach nearly five lakh schoolchildren across Punjab through these workshops. The first Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop was attended by 75 teachers from government schools. A poster and brochure on online safety for children were also released on the occasion.
Addressing the inaugural session, Special DGP Cyber Crime Punjab V Neeraja highlighted the urgent need for collective responsibility in ensuring online safety for children. “The present generation of children are deeply immersed in the digital world.
The Covid pandemic brought the internet and smartphones into every household through online classes, making children more tech-savvy than their parents. While this connectivity brings opportunities, it also exposes children to significant online risks,” she said.
Quoting recent data from the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2025, she said that 76% of children aged 14-16 years in India now use smartphones for social media, and 57% use them for education. “The widespread availability of digital content has also increased exposure to inappropriate material and cyber threats,” she added.
Explaining the concept behind the initiative, the Special DGP said, “The Cyber Jago program emerged from the idea that as guardians of the next generation, we must understand these dangers and take proactive steps to protect children online. Teachers and parents must engage in open conversations with children about online safety and initiate conversation on online threats.
She informed that the Cyber Jago program will help in capacity building of teachers from 3,968 Government High Schools across Punjab through Training of Trainers workshops, imparting them with knowledge to guide students on cyber hygiene and safe online practices; recognising and reporting red flags; safe social media behaviour and digital communication; understanding AI-related threats; identifying and responding to OCSEA (Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse); and Reporting procedures and relevant legal provisions.
Meanwhile, under this program, teachers will further educate students in their respective schools, empowering them to identify potential dangers and respond effectively when faced with online threats.