Digital Wisdom – Ethics, Privacy, and Online Safety

Ms. Subathra Mylsamy, Legal Vertical Head of FLO Chennai, addressed the students of Alphabet International School on critical aspects of Digital Media, highlighting both the pros and cons of its widespread use on September 20th, 2024.

She discussed how digital media offers unparalleled access to information, fosters global communication, and creates opportunities for learning and creativity. However, she also emphasised the negative effects, such as misinformation, cyberbullying, and the addictive nature of some digital platforms, which can hinder productivity and mental well-being.

Ms. Subhathra Mylsamy focused on privacy concerns, particularly regarding location sharing and personal data. She urged the students to be cautious about oversharing personal details online, as this can lead to identity theft, stalking, or other safety issues.
Addressing the rising dangers of digital media, she discussed safety issues such as cyber scams, which target unsuspecting users through phishing attempts, fraud, and other forms of deception. Ms. Mylsamy provided actionable tips for avoiding such scams and never sharing sensitive information online.

She also tackled the growing problem of deepfakes, artificial intelligence-created media that can distort reality and create false impressions of people, often with malicious intent. This was linked to the broader theme of online safety, with advice on critical thinking, verifying information sources, and being cautious about accepting online content at face value.

Ms. Mylsamy did not shy away from discussing the accessibility of inappropriate content like pornography, which has been normalised in some digital spaces. She encouraged the students to maintain ethical standards online and to avoid harmful content, while also calling for collective action to promote a safer, healthier digital environment.

Her talk concluded with practical solutions to mitigate these challenges, including digital literacy, responsible internet use, and the importance of ethical behavior in the digital world.

Impact: Over 100 students