19 May,2026 11:49 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Maharashtra Cyber has partnered with What Now, an initiative under the L.B. Trust, to promote cyber awareness and digital safety among school students across the state, officials said on Tuesday.
According to Maharashtra Cyber, the collaboration was launched in response to the growing exposure of children to digital platforms at an early age and the increasing risks associated with cybercrime and online exploitation. Officials said children are becoming more vulnerable to cyberbullying, identity theft, financial frauds, social media misuse and other online threats due to rising internet usage among young users.
The state cyber department said a pilot awareness project was recently conducted across six schools in Mumbai, including both government-run and private institutions. The programme targeted students from Classes 6 to 8 and focused on educating them about safe online behaviour, cybercrime prevention and responsible internet usage.
According to Maharashtra Cyber, more than 1,000 students and over 34 teachers participated in the awareness initiative through interactive sessions, practical discussions and awareness modules.
Officials said the sessions addressed a range of cyber-related concerns commonly affecting children and teenagers. These included cyberbullying, online gaming-related threats, OTP frauds, social media misuse, digital addiction, privacy protection and safe internet practices.
Maharashtra Cyber officials said the programme was designed to help students recognise online risks and understand preventive measures that can reduce exposure to cybercrime.
The department noted that teachers and school authorities also welcomed the initiative and stressed the need for structured cyber safety education within schools, considering the increasing dependence on digital platforms for communication and learning.
Maharashtra Cyber said one of the major observations during the awareness sessions was that many students were previously unaware of the national cybercrime helpline number 1930.
According to officials, students showed improved awareness after the sessions regarding the process of reporting cyber frauds and seeking immediate assistance during online emergencies. Several participants also expressed greater confidence in identifying suspicious online activities and understanding the importance of timely reporting of cyber offences.
Officials said awareness about reporting mechanisms is critical because delays in reporting online frauds often reduce the chances of preventing financial losses or tracing cybercriminals.
In light of increasing cyber threats targeting children and young internet users, Maharashtra Cyber has urged that cyber awareness and digital safety education be formally introduced into school curricula.
Officials said introducing cyber safety education at an early stage could help build long-term digital awareness and strengthen cyber resilience among future internet users.
Maharashtra Cyber added that it will continue to undertake awareness campaigns, public outreach programmes and partnerships aimed at improving digital literacy and safeguarding citizens against emerging cyber threats.
