By Michael Kofi Kenetey
A Criminologist from the Institute of Security, Disaster, and Emergency Studies, Seth Okyere, has noted that cyberbullying is a criminal offense punishable by law. He advised victims to report any form of cyberbullying to the appropriate authorities for legal assistance.
Mr. Okyere reiterated that cybersecurity awareness is more important than ever in today’s digital age, given the rise of online scams and other cyber threats. He emphasized the need for individuals to stay informed. He made these remarks in an exclusive interview with GBC News during an Outdoor Movie Night organized by the Eastern Regional Office of the National Youth Authority (NYA) in collaboration with Star Ghana Foundation’s Kofkro Project. The event, held at the Koforidua Youth Resource Centre, brought together over one hundred youth to mark this year’s Valentine’s Day.
Mr. Okyere explained that individuals should quickly reset their phones or update security settings as soon as they realize their phone or account has been hacked. He also urged the public to be cautious about social engineering tactics and encouraged parents to protect their children against cyberbullying.
The Eastern Regional Director of the NYA, Evelyn Enyonam Lotsu, emphasized the importance of organizing programs that bring young people together to address issues affecting their well-being and welfare. She noted that instead of engaging in unproductive activities on Valentine’s Day, it is advisable to educate the youth on cybersecurity and cyberbullying. She highlighted that cyberbullying has been on the rise, causing emotional and psychological harm, and has become a major issue affecting young people.
Mrs. Lotsu further stated that the youth’s involvement in various online activities poses a threat to the country’s future. She stressed the need to sensitize and educate them on the dangers of engaging in online behaviors that could tarnish their reputation.
The Eastern Regional Territory Sales Controller for Mobile Telecommunication Network (MTN), Emmanuel Obeng Walker, also addressed the gathering, revealing that social engineering tactics used to defraud customers are on the rise, with women being the most frequent victims.
Mr. Walker cautioned that MTN does not run promotions that require customers to provide personal information before redeeming prizes. He explained that MTN only requests a valid identity card and security questions to verify legitimate winners. He advised against entertaining unknown callers, purchasing pre-registered SIM cards, or sharing personal information on social media.
According to Mr. Walker, combating mobile money fraud is a collective responsibility, and telecommunications networks also play a vital role in ensuring security.
The youth were taken through key lessons from the movie to help them understand how sensitive personal information can go viral on the internet. They were also educated on how to identify fraudsters who attempt to hack into their accounts via phone calls, enabling them to remain vigilant.
