Empowering Youth for Safer Online Communities: The Child Online Protection (COP) Workshop

In bolstering online safety for young individuals in the Federated States of Micronesia, the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office (UNRCO), with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), organised the "Child Online Protection (COP): Training of Trainers on Online Safety" workshop, held at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic (OLMC) High School in Pohnpei, Kolonia, FSM, from 12 to 13 and 18 to 19 September 2023.

This workshop engaged a group of 28 students from OLMC High School, 20 female and eight male. The ToT workshop was facilitated by Ms. Kyra Haberlin, a Trainer and Youth Associate from the United Nations Volunteers, who specialised in Climate Change and Youth-related issues. The training spanned three days, with participants delving into comprehensive aspects of Child Online Protection and Online Safety. They gained insights into their rights and responsibilities online, learned to recognize and prevent cyberbullying, and discovered strategies to maintain data privacy and security. Additionally, they honed their skills in dealing with online threats and harassment and familiarized themselves with ways to report and mitigate online safety issues.

The core of the workshop revolved around four learning objectives:

• To equip participants with a profound understanding of online safety principles, ensuring they can identify and mitigate online risks, protect personal data, and establish secure online environments.
• To provide participants with the skills and techniques required to deliver engaging and informative online safety training sessions. This empowers them to tailor content for diverse audiences, utilize interactive teaching methods, and provide constructive feedback.
• To empower participants to become advocates for online safety within their families, schools, and communities. This encompassed promoting responsible online behavior, addressing cyberbullying, and contributing to a safer digital space.
• Embracing the Girls in ICT celebration, the program underscored the importance of ensuring online safety for all, transcending gender boundaries. Participants were encouraged to recognize the unique challenges faced by girls in ICT and work toward an inclusive online environment.

A unique facet of the workshop was the in-depth exploration of learning materials, including the COP Online Safety Activity Workbook and the Teachers' Guide. Participants underwent material familiarization, enabling them to navigate these resources effectively. Furthermore, the workshop delved into interactive delivery techniques and strategies for content customization, promoting dynamic and engaging training sessions.

On 19 September, all 28 participants completed the training and were officially certified as Online Safety Trainers. Moreover, Mr. Russell Figueras, Principal of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School, was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for his invaluable support of the ToT Workshop.

The ToT Workshop was conducted to celebrate Girls in ICT (GICT) in Micronesia by empowering the participants to advocate for online safety and inclusivity in ICT. The workshop contributed to the broader GICT mission by working towards creating a safer digital environment for everyone, especially children and girls.

Looking forward, the newly certified trainers will take on the responsibility of educating younger students at their school and, potentially, extend their influence to other schools in the Federated States of Micronesia and throughout Micronesia. While specific timelines have yet to be established, the next logical step involves practically applying their knowledge and skills to make the digital world safer for all.

For further inquiries or information on future initiatives, please contact the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office in Micronesia.