Digital literacy vital to combat cybercrime and propaganda: Experts

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RAJSHAHI, Aug 13, 2018 (BSS)- Experts and development activists here
underscored the need for enhancing digital literacy and strong monitoring of
social media mechanism to combat cybercrime and propaganda everywhere in the
society.

They viewed Bangladesh needs to have separate cyber police to deal with
cybercrimes and propaganda.

The observation came at a seminar styled ‘International Youth Day- 2018:
Safe Space for Youth” at Padma Garden Coffee Bar in the city yesterday
afternoon. Centre for Communication and Development (CCD) organized the
seminar in partnership with Democracy International Bangladesh and project
for Engaging Youth People against Violent Extremism and Religious Militancy.

During his keynote presentation, Zahid Hassan, Partnership and Grant
Manager of Democracy International Bangladesh, says cyber space and social
media are instigating the youths towards involvement in extremism and
militancy. So, effective steps should be taken to make the youth forces aware
and alert in this regard.

He said digital literacy needs to be increased to remove cybercrime
phobia. “We need to include ‘cyber security and propaganda’ in the textbooks
of schools and colleges to create awareness in this regard,” he added.

Zahid also said Bangladesh needs to have a cyber-information centre. “The
government is enacting a digital security law where there will be a provision
to establish a cyber-security council and a cyber-information centre will be
set up in the possible council.”

He told the meeting that the government has already planned to introduce a
social media mechanism, which is important to combat cybercrime and
propaganda. “A process is on to form a team to scan social media propaganda
and crimes with a view to containing these,” he said.

Taking part in the discussion Shahana Parveen, Joint Director of CCD, said
corporate houses and companies should raise awareness among their employees
about preventive measures of cybercrimes.

She said Bangladesh urgently needs to have cyber police to deal with
cybercrimes and propaganda. For lack of knowledge, common people cannot
contain social networking propaganda.

Project Coordinators Mehedi Hassan Tanveer and Ayesha Siddiqua Anu also
spoke on the occasion.

Some 60 talented students from Rajshahi University, Varendra University,
North Bengal International University and Rajshahi College joined the
seminar.