গণমাধ্যমকর্মীদের জন্য ডিজিটাল লিটারেসি ও সাইবার নিরাপত্তা বিষয়ে সচেতনতা বাড়াতে প্রশিক্ষণ কর্মশালা অনুষ্ঠিত হয়েছে। সোমবার (৩১ অক্টোবর) রাজধানীর একটি হোটেলে তথ্য ও যোগাযোগ প্রযুক্তি (আইসিটি) বিভাগের অধীন ডিজিটাল লিটারেসি সেন্টার ও ডিজিটাল সিকিউরিটি এজেন্সির উদ্যোগে এই প্রশিক্ষণের আয়োজন করা হয়।

তথ্যপ্রযুক্তির বিস্ময়কর বিকাশের এই যুগে প্রযুক্তির আশীর্বাদের পাশাপাশি আছে বড় ধরনের ঝুঁকিও। ভার্চুয়াল জগতের সেই ঝুঁকির অন্যতম শিকার আমাদের শিশুরা। ২০২১ সালে আইন ও সালিশ কেন্দ্রের  এক গবেষণায় দেখা গেছে, শতকরা ৩০ শতাংশ শিশু অনলাইনে বিভিন্ন ধরনের হয়রানির শিকার হয় এবং শতকরা ৮ ভাগ শিশু শিকার হয় যৌন হয়রানির।

শিশু ও তাদের অভিভাবকদের জন্য নিরাপদ ইন্টারনেট ও প্রাকশৈশব বিকাশের লক্ষ্যে একটি প্রকল্প হাতে নিয়েছে শিশুদের প্রিয় অনুষ্ঠান সিসিমপুর-এর নির্মাতা প্রতিষ্ঠান সিসেমি ওয়ার্কশপ বাংলাদেশ।

The Digital Bangladesh program of the government has ensured nationwide connectivity and access to digital devices. But not all people are able to use digital technology equally due to lack of operational knowledge. According to the Rural Bangladesh Digital Literacy Survey conducted by BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) in 2019, 41% of people in district cities of the country can use social media, 15% can make video calls, only 10% can use email. Less than 5% have mastered online shopping or online earning. They are also unaware of cyber security. So to be able to properly search for information using digital devices and connectivity, to look at aspects of online security, the Digital Security Act: Citizens' Responsibilities, Digital Living, Digital Desired Behaviour, Public Involvement, Online Transactions - The government has implemented several initiatives to spread awareness and knowledge to people across the country. For this, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has initiated a project titled 'Establishment of Secure E-mail and Digital Literacy Center for the Government of Bangladesh'. Under this, the work of preparing the national curriculum is in the final stage. The country's top domain experts have prepared a draft curriculum through national and international literature reviews and focus group discussions. A workshop was organized at the Westin Hotel in the capital on Monday (October 25, 2021) to solicit stakeholders' views on finalizing the curriculum. NM Ziaul Alam, Senior Secretary, Department of Information and Communication Technology, was present as the Chief Guest, BCC Executive Director Dr. Md. Abdul Mannan. Project Director Engineer Saiful Alam Khan gave a welcome speech on the occasion. NM Ziaul Alam inaugurated the project's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/JoinDLC) on the occasion. Among the various stakeholders involved in the project, are Dhaka University, Sisimpur, Dhaka TTC, A2I, Save the Children, Malala Foundation, NCTB, Dhaka Residential Model School and College, Campe, Denet, Agni Foundation, UNESCO, Radiculas, Scholastica, BRAC, Walton, Banglalink, Robi, Department of Primary Education, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Bangladesh Computer Council, Digital Security Agency, Department of Secondary and Higher Education, Department of Secondary and Higher Education, Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board, Madrasa Representatives of the Department of Education, Technical and Madrasa Education Department and other officials of the ICT Department were present. Welcoming the gathering, Engineer Saiful Alam Khan said, "Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 2008 Digital Bangladesh Declaration has built digital infrastructure across the country for over a decade and ensured people's access to digital devices." But not all the people of Bangladesh have been able to take advantage of this technology. There is a big difference between rural and urban areas. This leads to social, political, and personal psychological problems such as not being able to identify fake news or misinformation online, being tempted and deceived, being blackmailed by cyber hunters, cyber bullying, harassment of women, not knowing about online etiquette. As a result, we have taken up this project with the aim of making the general public aware of all these issues.” According to the president Md Abdul Mannan, irrespective of one’s economic background, it is very convenient for a person to become a part of the digital world by simply purchasing a smart device at a low cost in Bangladesh. As the digital world is completely new to most of the people here, there exists a lack of awareness about how to use technology properly, what should be and should not be done on digital platforms, what precautions to take, what stages of caution to practice and such. Mr Abdul Mannan also added, “We are implementing the project titled 'Establishment of Secure E-Mail and Digital Literacy Center for the Government of Bangladesh with the aim of gaining the necessary know-how about all these issues as well as improving quality of life through the proper use of technology.” He said “Through these 5 target groups, we have reached out to all the people in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh through 3rd-5th grade, 6th-12th grade, 20–35-year-olds, parents of children aged 0-10 years old and the general public. We want to convey this knowledge of digital literacy. Our expert team has prepared a draft curriculum for the mentioned groups. The curriculum will be finalized based on the feedback from those of you who have attended this workshop today. You decide what the people of Bangladesh need to know. We will share this knowledge throughout the country. It was informed at the function that while our current activities are being carried out through online platform and training on related subjects in 640 school colleges across the country, the government has plans to build a permanent infrastructure in the 'Digital Literacy Center'. This initiative has been taken to maintain the continuity of this work.