ISLAMABAD: A one-day workshop held here on Friday stressed the need for creating awareness among the youth about safe browsing on the internet. The training workshop for parents and teachers titled ‘Surf Safely to Save the Generation – A Social Networking Practices Programme for Youth Aged 16 Onwards through Parents and Teachers’ was held at Allama Iqbal Auditorium, Faisal Masjid Campus of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI). The event was organised by Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Professional Development (IPD) and the IIUI Schools. The basic objective of the workshop, planned as part of the anti-radicalization program, was to create awareness among students by engaging teachers and parents about surfing the web safely. Speakers at the event were of the view that although digital devices and the internet are common methods by which children access educational information, spend recreational time and communicate with their peers, the dangers associated with their use cannot be overlooked. They said the initiative aimed at creating awareness among youth on how internet bluffs its users and can direct them to the ‘unwanted’ sites. The participants were sensitized about potential threats of hacking of personal information, promotion of liberal ideologies, drugs business, violence and sexual harassment on the internet. The speakers warned that unsafe internet surfing can result in stealing of the user’s personal information which can later be misused by miscreants. “We want to sensitize the target audience on how internet can brainwash its users and lead them to violent behaviours,” the speakers said, adding that the core objective of the event was to identify, protect and support those who might be vulnerable to being radicalized or influenced by extremist views on the internet. The speakers stressed the need for working with schools and the local authorities to share good practices in order to improve safe surfing guidelines. “Creating awareness on the vulnerability about online recruitment by terrorist organizations offering money for livelihood is the need of the hour,” they maintained. On the occasion, live demo with examples was presented to the teachers and parents for creating awareness on the darker and inappropriate side of the internet. Booklets on Paigham-e-Pakistan declaration were also distributed during the ceremony. Parents and faculty members from at least 23 IIUI schools attended the workshop. Published in Daily Times, May 12th 2018.