Crosscheck any information before sharing on social media

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina put the utmost importance on maintaining cybersecurity and encouraged everyone to cross-check any information in the interest of the country and community before sharing on social media.

"Cybersecurity is very important. I'd like to warn the people of the country that it's not prudent to respond just to see anything on the internet without verifying its validity... all the information has to be checked," she said.

At a 2019 Digital Bangladesh Day award ceremony at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), the Prime Minister said this.

She said it was observed that while using the internet, numerous unnecessary elements and applications are coming up. "There should be a system for screening all those... there should be a system for providing security (users)." Sheikh Hasina called on the country's people not to pay attention to rumors. "I'd like to warn the people of the country, please don't react instantly to anything that appears on the internet without verifying its credibility. Information's integrity is very critical because it does tremendous damage to society and personal life," she said.

The Prime Minister also focused on raising awareness of cybercrimes among children and youth. "These things should always remain alert to the guardians and teachers," she said.

She said that kids might go astray by spreading false information through the cyberworld. "Misunderstanding often occurs. One may get involved in crimes... that must be stopped; everyone must remain aware of it." With respect to giving small children mobile phones, Hasina instructed guardians and parents to track what their children are watching on the internet and what places they are visiting. "There must be caution... each guardian and parent must be aware of it."

Hasina instructed the guardians and parents to track what their children are watching on the internet and what pages they are visiting for giving small children mobile phones. "A adult and parent must be conscious of it," she added, spending too much time on mobile phones and creating reliance on the internet. "This addiction is putting pressure on one's brain and psychology... it is causing harm to one's health."

State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Post Tele Communication & Information Technology AKM Rahmatullah and Senior Secretary of Information and Communication Technology Division N M Zeaul Alam also spoke at the program.

Earlier, the Prime Minister distributed awards among the recipients.