In August this year, the “Blue Whale” scare gripped Kerala. Parents were suddenly apprehensive that the online game would encourage their children to engage themselves in death-defying dare-devilries. A State-wide investigation ensued.
In October, the Kerala Police Cyberdome gave the all clear. However, the anxious episode woke up the law enforcement to the worries of parenting in the digital age.
For children, the Internet and social media throw wide open new windows to the world that aid acquisition of knowledge. However, the digital world comes with its own multitude of risks.
Most homes have Internet-enabled devices ranging from smartphones to computers to Internet television. Parents have a hard time blocking their children from accessing unseemly websites or downloading adult content.
Digital games portal
Along with tools that help parents track the activities of their wards online, the Cyberdome has come up with a digital games portal, Kid Gloves, to promote safer and healthy internet practice among children.
One programme, appropriately named “Fairy Mother”, walks child users through a game that enables them to distinguish between positive play and offensive touches, especially from sexual predators in the physical world. It also makes children feel more strong and confident to report such abuses, if any, to their parents or teachers.
Another game named “Stranger” helps children insulate themselves from suspicious activities and solicitations from unknown persons on the web. It teaches them to be careful about parting with personal information, including their photographs or e-mail.
There are interactive programmes designed to encourage children to cobble together highly secure passports, understand cyber security concepts and protect private information. They will also instruct children on working of e-mail and basics of e-commerce.
The State police, it appears, have attempted to reduce complex Internet and computer security concepts to simple story-based games to help children understand the digital world better and negotiate it safely. For instance, a friendly baby elephant, Appu, guides children through the "Digital Forest" where unknown dangers lurk.
State Police Chief Loknath Behera and IG Manoj Abraham are supervising the scheme.
