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Month: January 2023
Young users of digital platforms feel uncomfortable sharing their views
January 30, 2023
FE ONLINE REPORT | Published: December 27, 2022 19:49:58 | Updated: December 27, 2022 21:07:45
Young users on digital platforms feel uncomfortable sharing their thoughts on issues like the growing price hike of commodities out of fear of being harassed or coming under the digital security act, said a new survey.
The new findings were shared at an event on Tuesday in Dhaka. The survey also said that young users, mostly university students, want to avoid social media platforms to post their thoughts regarding political and religious issues.
Students on university campuses are aware of some recent examples of their surroundings where some of them faced harassment or legal action under the Digital Security Act for sharing concerns that may have displeased other users, according to the survey.
Under the joint funding of the European Union (EU) and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, DNET organized the seminar entitled “Lesson Learnt Seminar on Fostering Responsible Digital Citizenship.”
Prof Rabiul Islam of the University of Rajshahi who was involved in the survey said that there are some internal and external factors which pressurise users and helped develop fear or discomfort.
“Internal factors include—family pressure. Families don’t want their children to face any discomfort or harassment. Self-concern or awareness among users push them not to share these selective issues as some people who earlier shared such concerns on social media faced legal harassment,” he added.
External pressure which causes discomfort in sharing thoughts includes–political pressure and torture, police or law enforcement interrogation and online bullying, he described.
“Parents, guardians, and teachers can guide youth in their care to express themselves freely and safely in the digital space,” he suggested.
Rumki Farhana, senior programme officer of ARTICLE 19- Said, evidentially the DSA is being abused as a weapon of legal harassment to the journalists and communicators than playing the role of protection which is even second by the law minister.
Any act or policy shall be developed with a multi-stakeholder approach ensuring maximum exclusivity including collective insights and input rather than analyzing later on going through negative experiences, she added.
Executive director of DNET M. Shahadat Hossain said, through the FRDC project, many young people have been able to learn about exercising their rights safely in the digital world.
Nazmul Hossain, the country representative of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF Bangladesh) and Taif Hossain, program manager of the European Union, spoke at the event among others.
Nuzmus Sakib
Staff Reporter
Financial Express
nsrafsanju@gmail.com
DNET, British Council trains 1,200 girls English, technology
January 29, 2023
January 26, 2023 7:17 PM
DNET and British Council have collaborated to provide English and digital education skills for 1,200 girls in Manikganj, Chittagong and Lalmonirhat through the “English and Digital for Girls Education (EDGE)” project.
The project is being financed by Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC).
Before starting the third phase of this project, training of peer group leaders was organized for three days from January 17-25 in the three districts, according to a press release.
Two Peer Group Leaders (PGLs) from each club participated in this three-day training, totaling 100 people. The training sessions were conducted by expert trainers from the British Council.
The information technology education in the training includes internet browsing, MS office, safe internet use, awareness of social media rumours, digital security, etc.
For social awareness, Meena cartoons (English version) are shown, where teenagers can see various social problems and solutions. Later they can discuss the problems among themselves.
The 21st-century skills such as citizenship, communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, etc, are taught in this training which will help them to make informed and responsible decisions in their daily life and contribute to bring positive changes in society.
Through the clubs, teenagers will discuss various issues of English practice, digital education practice, social awareness and learn about various income-generating initiatives. As a result, adolescent girls will become socially and economically self-reliant and will be able to contribute at various levels of the state. Adolescents will also become proficient in leadership development.
In this regard, Maisha Farzana, coordinator of the EDGE project and assistant manager of DNET, said: “Our aim is to create a supportive environment for their development and skill acquisition.”
The executive director of DNET M Shahadat Hossain said that there is no alternative to information technology skills and English education for the women of Bangladesh to keep pace with the world.
He also said: “If we can later spread this project to schools all over Bangladesh, it will be our achievement.”
Abdullah Al Mamun
Staff Reporter
Dhaka Tribune
