The Film & Publication Board (FPB) and Vodacom Millionaires join hands to mark International Safer Internet Day Back-2-School Campaign on Cyber-Safety

In celebration of International Safer Internet Day, the Film and Publication Board (FPB) in partnership with Vodacom launched its annual Back-2-School Campaign on Cyber-Safety with the blessing of the Northern Cape Government.

The FPB and Vodacom Millionaires visited Dibotshwa High School and Mamoratwa Middle School in Kuruman as the site of the kick-off of a month long program for school activations aimed at creating awareness on cyber-safety.

FPB chief executive officer, Yoliswa Makhasi says: "The Back-2-School Campaign is an opportunity for us to ensure that learners are aware and protected against the dangers that come with the expansion of access to the internet amongst communities and learners in particular."

"We are keen to see more children access the internet and being exposed to the modern day technologies it offers, but similarly we want informed and responsible children who use these platforms vigilantly to protect themselves against abuse and exposure to content which may be harmful. It is for this reason that we are proud to partner with Vodacom because most children have access to the internet today via their mobile cellphones," says Makhasi.

Vodacom's executive head media: CSI and Sustainability, Suraya Hamdulay says: "One of Vodacom's strategic priorities is to put the power of the internet into people's hands. As a service provider, we therefore have a responsibility and we feel there is a real need to promote and educate learners and their parents in using the internet as well as cell phones in a responsible manner."

The Back-2-School Campaign seeks to reach 24, 000 learners across six provinces over the month of February which has been termed ‘Internet Safety Month'.

The partnership has seen Vodacom, through its Vodacom Millionaires programme, identify a number of schools that will be provided with computer laboratories during the campaign. Mamoratwa Middle School today received a computer laboratory, ready for use by learners and educators in their academic programme.

The computer centre comprises of 21 laptops (the teacher's laptop with internet access), server, printer, cartridges, four LCD Screens and e-beam interactive board.

Vodacom Millionaires encourages schools that are currently without computer facilities to contact it on 082 24 32082 (free from Vodacom cell phones) for assistance.

The partnership between Vodacom Millionaires and FPB will see more schools receiving computer labs that will enhance their experience as well as receive education Cyber-Safety in the next month.