In a significant move to fortify digital security across the district, Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Ashok Kumar Sharma today inaugurated a high-impact awareness session to mark Safer Internet Day 2026. The event, themed "Smart Tech, Safe Choices: Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI," focused on empowering citizens and officials to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape with caution and responsibility.
The session demonstrated an unprecedented mobilization of the district's academic sector, with 1,240 students comprising 935 girls and 305 boys from various educational institutions joining the proceedings virtually. This massive engagement underscores the administration's priority to protect the youth, who are often the most active yet vulnerable participants in the digital ecosystem.
To ensure the message permeate to all levels of local governance, SDMs, Tehsildars and BDOs along with their staff from across the district were also connected virtually to the session. In his keynote address, Ashok Kumar Sharma emphasized that as the internet becomes our primary environment, users must transition from passive interaction to active mastery of digital safety.
He advised that vigilance is the first line of defence against the "financial haemorrhage" and social erosion caused by modern cyber-attacks. District Informatics Officer (DIO), NIC Poonch, Parvinder Singh, delivered a technical presentation outlining the gravity of emerging threats:
The AI Identity Crisis: Deepfake technology and AI voice cloning are being increasingly exploited to mimic loved ones in distress, leading to severe financial losses. Systemic Scams: The session highlighted the rise of "Digital Arrest" frauds, where scammers impersonate law enforcement via video calls to extort money through intimidation.
Psychological and Privacy Risks: Beyond financial theft, the presentation addressed the "Digital Disconnect," noting that digital footprints are now prevalent in matrimonial disputes and that non-consensual AI imagery is a major tool for privacy erosion. The event concluded with a formal Vote of Thanks to all participating departments for their commitment to public safety.
As a final act of dedication, participants took a Pledge and participated in a Quiz on the Safe and Responsible Use of AI. The participants were urged to report any cybercrime within the "Golden Hour" by dialing the national helpline 1930 or visiting www.cybercrime.gov.in.
The session was attended by a broad spectrum of district leadership including Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Ashok Kumar Sharma, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Tahir Mustafa Malik, Chief Planning Officer (CPO), Shama-un Ahmed, Assistant Commissioner Development, Shakeel Ahmed, SDM Surankote, SDM Mendhar, Chief Education Officer, Poonch, SE Hydraulic, District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO), ARTO, Poonch, Chief Agriculture Officer, Chief Horticulture Officer, District Information Officer, District Information Officer, Poonch, AD Handloom, Deputy Director Employment, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Tehsildars and BDOs.