Students at the Mathematics Summer School in Yunanistan Received Internet Security Training

Digital technologies and the internet have become an integral part of students' daily lives today. Young people communicate, acquire information, entertain themselves, and learn through rapidly developing digital environments. However, it should not be forgotten that alongside the enormous opportunities the internet offers in terms of information, creativity, and collaboration, it also brings some serious challenges. To cope with these challenges, awareness, critical thinking, and demonstrating a responsible attitude are of great importance. In this context, strengthening digital literacy and the safe use of new technologies stand out as one of the top priorities of modern education.

A highly comprehensive informational event on the safe and responsible use of the internet was organized for the students of the 3. Matematik Yaz Okulu located in the Larisa city of Yunanistan. The keynote speaker of the event was Dimitrios G. Liovas, the Primary Education Informatics and New Technologies Coordinator of Larisa. Thanks to his comprehensive and interactive presentation, Liovas explained in detail to the participants both the opportunities offered by the digital world and the dangers that careless usage can engender. It was stated that the aim was to make students sensitive to the risks of the digital world and to emphasize the positive potential that technology can create when used consciously.

During the event hosted by the 4. Larisa Ortaokulu, numerous topics closely concerning the modern school community and society in general were discussed. Digital violence phenomena such as cyberbullying and the risks inherent in social media usage were explained to the students in detail. Additionally, current issues such as internet addiction and excessive devotion to digital games were heavily emphasized. Attention was also drawn to serious digital threats such as adults manipulating children over the internet, various fraud methods, and blackmail carried out with digital tools.

Another focus of the event was the protection of personal data and citizenship rights in the digital realm. Referencing general data protection regulations like GDPR, it was emphasized that students must be extremely careful when managing their personal information. The risks of excessive digital sharing and the requirements of being a responsible digital citizen were touched upon. Even as a symbolic gesture, students closed their eyes with their hands to take a group photo to convey the message of protecting personal data. Furthermore, the use of the official online platform launched by the Yunanistan government to report cyberbullying incidents was encouraged.

During the presentation, the extremely rapid developments in the field of artificial intelligence and the impact of this technology on daily life and education were also included. Deepfake technologies, fake profile creation, and new generation phishing attacks aimed at deceiving people through voice or visual impersonations were explained to the participants. At the end of the event, officials encouraged students, stating that it is essential to share the digital problems they experience with their parents and teachers without fear. This successful organization, held in collaboration with the Larisa Matematik Derneği, contributed to young people using technology not just as a technical skill, but with an active digital citizenship awareness.