NCERT releases guidelines for safe online learning in times of COVID-19

NCERT has released a set of guidelines to avoid cyberbullying of students during online teaching. NCERT along with UNESCO India has set these guidelines. 

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has released a set of guidelines to be followed by students to ensure safe online learning in times of coronavirus. These guidelines have been set by NCERT and UNESCO India.

To avoid the cyberbullying of students and its effect on academic achievement, mental health, and quality of life in general, the document released by NCERT advises students on what they should and shouldn't do to stay safe online.

"With COVID-19 closing schools across all states, Education Departments have made efforts to ensure continuity of learning through various digital platforms. Millions of learners are turning to online education and with this comes a huge increase in the use of electronic devices and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)."

With most of the educational institutions opting for online mode of learning, students are at a higher risk of cyberbullying. Cyber Bullying not only affect the students but also the teachers, as it hampers them from imparting quality education through online platforms.

Some forms of cyberbullying include posting hurtful comments on updates, pictures, and videos shared by an individual; uploading embarrassing photographs without an individual's consent; excluding individuals of different cultural, socio-economic backgrounds from online groups and forums; and stealing someone's account password and sending unwanted/inappropriate messages from that account to harass other individuals.

In the list of 'Do's' released by the NCERT, it suggested following things creating a strong password, read privacy settings of social networking sites, communicate only with known people, practice caution while posting photos and videos on social media sites, and ensure that only authorized personnel access computer systems and labs.

The 'Don'ts' include keeping your password secret, not revealing personal information like age address etc. as it can lead to identity theft, not posting anything hurtful on social media sites, and not forwarding anything you read on social media without verifying it.

To check the guidelines fully, click here

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