Nigerian Students Launch Digital Safety Club at School

Students at Holy Rosary College in Makurdi, Nigeria, are now better equipped to protect themselves online thanks to a special Digital Safety Training program that also launched the school's first Digital Safety Club.

The Initiative for Human Rights and Gender Awareness partnered with the Center for Inclusive Future Women and Children Development Initiative to bring the interactive training to students, teachers, and counselors during the 2026 Children's Day celebration. The program addressed critical issues young people face daily, from cybercrime to mental health challenges linked to social media use.

Joseph Gbagyo from the Aza-Gbagyo Foundation kicked off the event by urging students to use the internet for learning rather than harmful activities. He cautioned against operating social media accounts on parents' phones without guidance and warned that internet fraud could derail their futures.

Students actively participated when discussing their favorite online activities, including TikTok videos, K-dramas, and movies. Mrs. Nyiyam Ikyereve from IHRGA used these real examples to explain how online predators manipulate young people and what warning signs to watch for.

She encouraged students to report suspicious behavior and avoid toxic online fights. "Do not engage in unhealthy clap backs or online harassment," she advised, urging them to seek help from trusted adults when something feels wrong.

The newly launched Digital Safety Club gives students a peer-support platform to promote safe online practices throughout their school community. Many students expressed excitement about joining and helping their classmates navigate digital challenges together.

Mrs. Yaji from CIFWCDI addressed how online content affects emotional wellbeing during the mental health session. She explained that unhealthy digital exposure can contribute to anxiety, stress, and depression, encouraging students to seek therapy when needed and maintain positive behavior both online and offline.

The Ripple Effect

This training does more than protect individual students. The Digital Safety Club creates student ambassadors who will spread awareness throughout Holy Rosary College and potentially inspire similar programs at other schools.

By equipping young people with knowledge about cybercrime laws, online grooming tactics, and mental health resources, the program helps build a generation of digitally literate students. These students can now make informed decisions about their online presence and support their peers facing digital challenges.

Principal Rev. Sis. Onyinye Anike praised the organizers for bringing this timely initiative to the school. She urged students to apply the lessons they learned as they navigate today's technology-driven world.

The program demonstrates how targeted education can empower young people to transform the internet from a potential danger zone into a tool for growth and learning.