Students of Ecole Secondaire Saint Joseph Le Travailleur (ESSJT) were urged to use Internet Responsibly.

This was requested by the leadership of ISOC Rwanda Chapter during the 3rd celebrations of the Safer Internet Day in Rwanda on 08 February 2022.

As Internet technology advances, so does the youth spend more time talking to friends via social media, these activities leave personal information on various social media sites, young people are no longer able to separate private and public information.

As the days go by, more people are interested in increasing the amount of information they share on social media in terms of advertising and building brands without knowing that the more they share can affect their online reputation.

The fact that young people are interested in publishing their personal information without thinking about its consequences in the future has led ISOC Rwanda Chapter through the Rwanda Safer Internet Day Committee to organize awareness campaign in schools in line with celebrating Safer Internet Day 2022 with the theme of “Protecting Children’s Reputation”. This theme reminds young people that the information they share on social media they use plays an important role in their future lives.

This theme is based on the general theme of Safer Internet Day “Together for a Better Internet” that encourages everyone to contribute as much as possible in making the Internet a better place for children.

Eric NDAYISENGA, a member of the Rwanda Safer Internet Day Committee, who addressed the students of ESSJT, asked them to make sure that the information they post on their social media sites meets who they want to be in the future.

He reminded them that telecommunications companies are collecting personal information in order provide good quality of service they need, reminding them that even if it is necessary, it should be done with discretion because this information can be used for other purposes and can distort someone’s image in the public.

He also reminded them of the basics one should ask before posting information on the Internet and urges them to use technology thinking about their future.

Father Polycarpe NZAYISENGA, the school Manager, told their students that what they do on the Internet sometimes affects their health and well-being, which in some cases prevents them from attending classes properly and sometimes even finds themselves involved in acts of violence that can also lead to permanent dismissal. He also urges them to be good example in using the Internet advancing their studies.

Every year, Safer Internet Day is celebrated to raise awareness of the importance of both a safer and a better internet, where everyone is empowered to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively. It aims to reach out to children and young people, parents and carers, teachers, educators and social workers, as well as industry, decision makers and politicians, to encourage everyone to play their part in creating a better internet for young People. 

Join us for the next edition of Safer Internet Day on Tuesday, 9 February 2023.