SaveTNet Cyber Safety Panel adding value at EduWeek
24 June 2016, Johannesburg – SaveTNet Cyber Safety NPC will chair the SaveTNet Cyber Safety Panel to address educators at EduWeek with SABC Education, Powered by Intel, scheduled for 29 to 30 June at Gallagher Estate. The panel comprises representatives from SaveTNet, Cyanre Computer Forensic Lab, the South African Law Reform Commission, FEDSAS and Cell C.
The aim is to equip teachers and ensure that they know how to protect themselves and their learners from the dangers of cyberspace. SaveTNet creates awareness for responsible digital engagement and offers help to schools and victims of cyber related cases.
“Teachers and school governing bodies are faced with tough decisions and difficult social media related cases and they don’t necessarily have the needed skills to deal with it appropriately. SaveTNet wants to give EduWeek visitors access to a panel of experts to share essential information and to help both teachers and learners to be more cyber savvy,” says Rianette Leibowitz from SaveTNet Cyber Safety.
How to deal with cyberbullying, inappropriate images and when it is necessary to consult with a forensic analyst will be discussed. FEDSAS (The Federation of South Africa School Governing Bodies) will share how they support their members and the latest updates from the South African Law Reform Commission will be addressed as well. Additionally, the panel will look at the role that mobile operators play and how they can assist with cyber-related incidents.
“In order for us to protect and educate the youth, we need teachers and parents to know all about it themselves,” says Leibowitz.
To ensure ongoing support, SaveTNet is offering a Cyber Safety Task Team that schools and governing bodies can turn to in times of digital distress.
It is imperative that learners, parents and teachers are aware of both the advantages and disadvantages of the online space. Speaking at the Career Indaba held at the Sandton Convention Centre earlier this year, Leibowitz also stressed the importance of creating a positive digital footprint.
“At SaveTNet, we define your digital footprint as everything that has your fingerprint linked to it. Your digital identity is everywhere – searches, emails, posts, tweets, likes and shares. Everything done online can be found, shared, copied and broadcast, so we need to ensure that it is positive and true,” she says.
SaveTNet came about in response to the terrifying statistics of young people taking their lives due to cyberbullying and the prevalence of violence on the net. SaveTNet saw a real need to educate people on the dangers while appreciating the immense value of cyberspace: “Many parents today did not grow up with social media and the challenges it creates. They therefore do not know how to deal with this ever-changing situation. This affords us the opportunity to create concious mindsets to focus on responsible engagement and content creation by influencing society and the companies that create these remarkable platforms,” she says.
Registration is free www.theeducationweek.org and the SaveTNet Cyber Safety Panel will be on stage on 30 June between 11:00 and 12:00 on the Basic Education Programme.
For more information please visit www.savetnet.com or [email protected]
ENDS
SaveTNet Cyber Safety NPC is a non-profit company which aims to save lives by creating awareness of responsible digital engagement for the youth and their parents with the support of national and international parties involved.
EduWeek is the largest and most recognised African education event bringing together educational professionals from Early Childhood Development , Basic Education, Higher education , Special Needs and Educational Technology.
Contact:
Rianette Leibowitz at [email protected]
Cell: 082 786 9773