Cyber threats in focus of OSCE Presence information sessions with schools across Albania
As part of the Cybersecurity Awareness Month, from 19 October to 2 November 2022, the OSCE Presence in Albania reached out to children, parents, teachers, school psychologists and social workers to increase community awareness on cyber threats. The information sessions, which took place in Korça, Pogradec, Shkodra, Malësi e Madhe, Rrëshen and Lezha, also aimed at helping young people protect themselves online as threats to technology and confidential data become more commonplace. The Presence organized these events in partnership with the National Authority on Online Certification and Cyber Security (AKCESK).
The topics discussed with 360 participants focused on threats that citizens face online such as cyber-bullying, personal data phishing, grooming, hate speech, violent extremism and radicalization among youth, as well as on the early identification and prevention tools. The roles and responsibilities of teachers, parents and school psychologists were also in focus.
One of the participants, Kledisa, 15 years old, from Korça, said: “Thanks to this information session, I started to think and better understand the importance of being cautious and thinking critically when navigating online. Violent speech through the internet is dangerous for our friends and the society – we have witnessed such cases among our friends”.
The teachers said they found the methodology very interesting and useful for their work with youth in the future, whereas parents appreciated learning about parental control and how to improve communication with their children regarding their online activity, without judging them.
In April 2022, the OSCE Presence supported AKCESK in organizing a regional cyber camp with youth and professionals from the Western Balkans. The event aimed at increasing regional cyber-security co-operation in the Western Balkans through the creation of a network where young people, institutions and other stakeholders can exchange experiences and best practices.
The Presence will continue to work together with AKCESK, the Ministry of Education and Sports, and the National Co-ordination Centre on CVE to increase knowledge and raise awareness on cyber threats among children, youth, parents, school staff and other groups.