BTC and its parent company Liberty Latin America (LLA) focused their support on Safer Internet Day, which is observed every year on February 7th by providing education and awareness programs designed to reach the youngest online users. The company held an interactive hybrid Teen Summit event under the banner of #KeepingYouAndMeSafe, recognizing that internet safety needs to be an everyday practice for everyone.
Felipe Ruiz, VP, Information Security, and CISO, Liberty Latin America, commented, “We believe that keeping our information safe is a shared responsibility and to mark Safer Internet Day, we are providing a wide range of tools, games, activities, and outreach across the region. Focusing on some of the most vulnerable groups who are targeted by online fraud and abuse, such as children and the elderly, we are encouraging cross-generational dialogue around how to ensure the internet is safe for all users. Our multi-faceted, interactive approach is designed to ensure that what we learn on Safer Internet Day lasts all year long.”
The Teen Summit was held at Fusion Superplex, and hosted over 300 students in person and virtually. Several panelists and a number of students joined from the Family Islands and Germany, demonstrating the strength of BTC’s network and the infinite power of connectivity.
BTC Director of Technology Operations, Shantell Cox-Hutchinson said, “All of us have a responsibility to be aware and informed and share best practices and educational tools with everyone we encounter on the internet. The teen summit reinforced the importance of providing safe outlets for our children to discuss the prevailing issues affecting them.”
The summit’s three panel discussions focused on: How to use technology responsibly, respectively, critically and creatively; how to deal with cyberbullying and protecting your online reputation; online and social media strategy; and online careers and social networking. Sessions were hosted by Bodine Johnson, BTC’s brand ambassador, Inspector Makelle Pinder of the Royal Bahamas Force; and Keron Rose digital brand ambassador for Flow & BTC.
Inspector Makelle Pinder of the Royal Bahamas Police Force shared with students that they should be cognizant of the way that they communicate with others via the internet. “Remember that your digital footprint is for life,” Inspector Pinder advised. “We have had innocent persons who became victims of social media because of shared photos, and they have lost their reputation. Everyone does not have to know what is going on with you. Some things you keep to yourself and some things you share.”
Asia Rolle, head girl at C.R. Senior High School said: “The session was very informative and lively, and the speakers were very entertaining. It was not a boring seminar, and I learned a lot about cyber security and how I can protect my own privacy online. I just thoroughly enjoyed it.”
In the end, the Teen Talk Session was dubbed a smashing success by many students who expressed that they were looking forward to next year’s event.
