Volunteering Week emphasized the importance of solidarity and individual contribution to the well-being of the community. Active participation in these events allowed young people not only to learn, but also to have fun, make friends and make a concrete contribution to improving their environment. Organizers hope that this week’s initiatives will encourage more young people to choose volunteering as a way of personal and social development.
20 October 2024
Youth workers and volunteers from Youth Centers in Chisinau participated for two days in a training workshop entitled “Young men and women safe online”.
The event was organized at the Chisinau Municipal Youth Centre, by the International Centre “La Strada”, in the framework of the UNICEF project “Strengthening the mechanism of prevention and protection of girls and boys against sexual violence online, including gender-based violence”, with financial support from KFW. The aim of the workshop was to educate and train young people on online safety, abuse prevention and personal data protection.
Over the two days, participants explored topics related to online safety, identifying risks in digital relationships and developing skills to prevent sexual abuse. The interactive exercises highlighted vulnerabilities in cyberspace, providing young people with solutions to navigate online responsibly.
The 4 sessions included presentations on the dangers of cyberbullying, emotional manipulation and exposure to explicit content, as well as providing accurate statistics to highlight the seriousness of these issues. Participants worked in teams to analyze real-life situations and find practical solutions, and the activities contributed to a deeper understanding of the problems in online relationships.
The trainer emphasized the importance of youth workers and volunteers being aware of online safety issues as they play a crucial role in young people’s lives. Through their daily interactions, they can guide and support teenagers and children who may have difficulties online. She also emphasized that the internet is a public space, even when communicating in a private chat. To prevent abuse, it is essential to protect our data and think about the long-term consequences of our actions.
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In addition, the trainer recommended that we think twice before posting or sending messages, asking ourselves questions such as, “If this image was seen by parents or colleagues, would I still be comfortable with it?” or “Years from now, would I be okay with what I posted or commented on now?”. If the answer is negative or uncertain, it would be advisable to pause the distribution of that content and analyze further.
Another issue discussed was the need to open up communication about emotions and feelings online.
“Even if it is a virtual space, the psychological impact is as real as it can be. Young people need to be encouraged to talk about how they feel and to seek support. It is essential that we provide an environment where they feel listened to and supported, not judged or mocked for their online experiences. We need to make it clear to them that no matter what, there is always help available and they are not alone in facing these challenges,” says Victoria Gribinet, online safety specialist.
Several participants shared with us how this program has influenced their perception of online safety and how they are going to apply what they have learned.
“This program gave me a clear perspective on digital risks. I understood how important it is to manage personal data carefully and not to hesitate to report any suspicious situation”, says Ana Covali, volunteer.
“The workshop helped me to become aware of the risks of online relationships, such as emotional manipulation and exposure to inappropriate content. Now I am much more careful about my privacy settings and interactions on social media platforms,” says Victor Solomon, head of the Ciocana Youth Center.
“I realized how important it is to protect not only ourselves but also others around us. I will try to share what I have learned and support my peers to avoid the pitfalls of the online environment”, says Cristian Mânzâlică, volunteer.
The “Young People Safe Online” workshop provided young participants with a comprehensive guide to navigate the digital world safely and recognize the signs of abuse. It is essential that all young people are informed about the risks of the online environment and do not hesitate to ask for help when faced with dangerous situations.
If you have ever been in a situation of online abuse or know someone who has, don’t hesitate to ask for help, write to siguronline.md or call the child helpline 116-111. Your safety matters!
