Dubai, United Arab Emirates (October 27, 2015): In a bid to raise awareness about cyber-bullying and develop methods to use the internet positively, students of International School of Arts & Science (ISAS) and Al Mawakeb Schools - managed by Academia Management Solutions International (AMSI) - successfully held the ‘Happiness Hackathon’ workshop. During the workshop, students highlighted the flip side of digital world, including the prevalence of cyber-harassers. Students also utilized their experience and skills in technology and social media to submit ideas on ways to improve online experience for the youth. This resulted in over two hundred ideas and proposals on ways to combat online bullies and use the medium to propagate positive message that benefits society. The workshop’s key lesssons were encapsulated in the hashtags #BeKindOnline, #KeepTweetsSweet, and #MakeItHappy. According to a survey conducted by ICDL GCC Foundation - an advocate of digital skills and cyber safety - 95 per cent of school students between the age of 14 and 18 are active on social media in the United Arab Emirates. The prolific use of social media amongst the youth warrants much caution, as the same study surveying 883 youth from across the country also revealed that one in every two respondents had faced some form of online threat including cyber-bullying, identity theft and harassment. While International School of Arts & Science (ISAS) and Al Mawakeb Schools recognize the importance of adopting Information & Communication Technology (ICT) for a seamless education experience, it also assumes responsibility to mould students into productive individuals who demonstrate care and sensitivity towards other members of society.
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