A total of 500 children across 10 rural communities in Kwara State have been sensitized on the importance of digital citizenship and online safety, as part of a sustained effort to equip young people with the knowledge and skills required to safely navigate the digital world.

This was disclosed in a statement by Nafisat Bakare, the Executive Director of a digital skills training organization spearheading the outreach initiative.

Bakare said the programme, which cuts across all 16 local government areas of the state, aimed to bridge the digital literacy gap between urban and rural areas, while empowering children with the right tools to understand both the opportunities and risks associated with internet usage.

�Our rural community outreach is a crucial part of our advocacy to promote safe, responsible, and informed use of digital tools among children, especially in underserved communities,� she stated.

She noted that the campaign covered core topics including cyberbullying prevention, data privacy, scam awareness, social media conduct, and digital empathy � with each session tailored to the specific age group and local context of the participants.

Bakare further emphasized the importance of early education in shaping healthy online habits, adding that the organization is committed to expanding its reach to more communities across Nigeria in the coming months.

�In the last two weeks, the community outreach has taken our team to communities across three local government areas of Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Ifelodun. The communities visited are Ita Merin, Masingba Okekere, Ganmo, Ita Amodu, Oja-Iya, Jalala, Dada, Okelele, Gago, and Kilanko Orisunbare�, she said.

Bakare of the Webfala Digital Skills for All Initiative (WDSFAI) said that 25 fellows from the inaugural cohort of the organisation's Digital Citizenship and Online Safety Fellowship had, three weeks ago, conducted similar trainings for students in schools across the state.

According to her, these trainings are informed by the need to empower children and young people with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves against online risks and threats.

She noted that although the internet provides valuable opportunities for learning, creativity, and connecting with others, it also poses significant risks, especially for vulnerable children and young people.

�We are visiting rural communities because we strongly believe that every child, regardless of location, should have the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world safely. We have to prepare all children for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

�As the internet becomes more accessible, children, particularly those in rural communities, are increasingly going online without proper guidance or protection. Many of them are unaware of the dangers associated with using digital devices.

�Through our awareness and training programmes, we are helping children understand how to protect their personal information, identify online threats, and behave responsibly on digital platforms.

�Additionally, we are introducing the children to concepts like critical thinking and fact-checking. Our mission is to raise a generation of smart, informed, and ethical digital citizens who use the internet safely and responsibly,� Bakare noted.