“Surf Safely: Youth Educate Youth About Online Risks”
Within the framework of the “Youth Together Against Disinformation” initiative, Megan Krasteva implemented her project focused on security in the digital world.
Project Objective
The main objective of the initiative was to raise students’ awareness of cybersecurity and media literacy. The project focuses on developing practical skills for recognizing phishing attacks, protecting personal data, and critically evaluating information shared on social networks.
Who is it aimed at?
The project was primarily aimed at:
- Secondary school students who spend a significant portion of their time online.
- Young people who are still developing their habits for communicating and informing on the Internet.
Strength and Impact
The greatest strength of the project lies in the “peers educate peers” approach. Megan was able to create an environment where young people feel free to share their concerns and ask questions without being intimidated by authority figures.
Results:
- A series of interactive sessions and discussions were held that helped participants understand how social media algorithms work and how to protect themselves from manipulative content.
- 6 podcasts were created on the topic:
Recommendations for the future
Based on her experience, Megan shares several key recommendations for developing the topic:
- Regular training: Cybersecurity issues should be taken more seriously in the school curriculum, and not just as extracurricular activities.
- Interactive content: The use of game formats (gamification) and video content is the shortest way to reach the attention of the younger generation.
- Parental support: It is important to also include parents in the process in order to build a unified supportive environment for children.
This project is being implemented with the financial support of the Open Space Foundation and the British Council in Bulgaria.
