Por Redaccion The Councilor for Youth, Festivities, and Social Centers, Covadonga Díaz, accompanied by the councilor in charge of Social Centers, Rosario Suárez, attended this morning the inauguration of Ciberland, in the Plaza del Conceyín, an initiative of Fundación MAPFRE and the National Police, with the collaboration of the City Council of Oviedo, focused on society discovering and reflecting on the most common risks of the digital world and learning to use new technologies in a safe, healthy, and responsible manner.
Differentiating between illegal or illicit content, recognizing hate speech or fake news, and avoiding identity theft (phishing) or grooming situations (techniques used by an adult to gain the trust of a minor with the aim of obtaining a sexual benefit from them through the Internet) are some of the goals of this project.
The installation, which can be visited until the 17th – from Wednesday to Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm, offers a approximately 20-minute tour through different spaces that also delve into the leisure activities that take place online and the risks involved, including online games and gambling, video games, and viral challenges. Additionally, it presents the consequences of an abusive and addictive use of ICT, such as physical, psychological, or nomophobia problems.
"For the City Council of Oviedo, it is a pride that the Fundación Mapfre and the National Police have chosen Oviedo to bring Ciberland, an activity that will mark a turning point in the use of social networks, not only among young people but also among the elderly. I believe that in today’s society, no one is immune to being a victim of cybercrime, and I think this is the best way to prevent it," said Councilor Covadonga Díaz.
Iris Rodríguez, an agent of the National Police, added: "The risks of social networks exist and are constantly changing. The key is to stay updated. That is also what the National Police work on day by day. From the Delegation of Citizen Participation, we actively work on cybersecurity training, mainly with our youth and also with the elderly."
Not spreading intimate content images
During the tour, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on the time they spend on the Internet or learn what sexting means (sending images or text messages of a sexual nature). Participants will also engage in gaming dynamics to learn to identify inappropriate content – which can cause psychological or physical harm to a minor – or illicit content – those not allowed by law. They will also learn that if they receive intimate content from another person without their consent, they should delete it and never share it.
Cyberbullying is not a game
This is one of the messages that Ciberland will convey to participants, along with the fact that cyberbullying is a crime for which one can be held responsible even as a minor. Other types of harassment, such as those that occur through social networks or instant messaging applications, will also be addressed. Additionally, the activity will allow visitors to learn the importance of Internet security, protect their data, control the information they provide, and promote privacy, a fundamental aspect of the Internet. In this regard, experts will explain that phishing, vishing, and smishing are scams linked to banking that people should be aware of to avoid falling victim to them.
Artificial Intelligence
Regarding AI, it is a trending topic nowadays. However, despite its potential, it is essential to make appropriate and responsible use of it. In Ciberland, we will provide you with some tips in this regard: protect your personal data, report harassment and the dissemination of illegal content, or promote critical thinking. Remember that if you generate content without the consent of the affected individuals, you could be committing a crime.